Introduction to AirPlay Security Risks
Apple’s approach to building new features has always been rooted in safety and seamless convenience. The company’s wireless standard, AirPlay, allows users to stream audio and video from one device to another. However, this convenience comes with a risk. AirPlay works not just across Apple devices, but also on TVs and speakers cleared by the company to offer the wireless streaming facility, making it a target for attacks.
Understanding the AirPlay Risk
Experts at the security research firm Oligo recently detailed Airborne, a set of flaws in Apple’s AirPlay Protocol and the AirPlay Software Development Kit (SDK) that can allow hackers to remotely execute code. These vulnerabilities can let bad actors take control of devices and use the infected machines to broaden the damage. An attacker can take over certain AirPlay-enabled devices and deploy malware that spreads to devices on any local network the infected device connects.
The Risks Associated with AirPlay Vulnerabilities
One of the vulnerabilities could allow hackers to compromise a device and then use it to gain access to a larger network, potentially targeting other devices, too. Depending on the target, the risks range from spying on conversations to tracking a car’s location, accessing sensitive information, ransomware attacks, and denial of service. Apple has patched the vulnerabilities via recent updates, but there are potentially thousands of older devices that will never get patched and remain vulnerable.
Protecting Yourself from AirPlay Vulnerabilities
To protect yourself, the first line of defense is to download the fix released by Apple. However, this is not enough. Trevor Horwitz, CISO and founder of TrustNet, says the patch will only work if people install it after the package downloads on their device. The simplest and most effective thing you can do is keep your devices updated. On an iPhone or iPad, follow this route to install the safety update: Settings > General > Software Update. For macOS, you must walk this path: Apple menu > System. Settings > General > Software Update.
Network-Related Precautions
Since attack vectors like Airborne rely on Wi-Fi networks to expand their damage, you must also pay attention to them. Oleh Kulchytskyi, Senior Malware Reverse Engineer at MacPaw’s Moonlock, told DigitalTrends that a Zero-Click Remote Code Execution (RCE) is the highest level of security breach. It should be immediately patched by the companies involved, but as a user, one must take further network-related precautions. To stay safe at home, ensure that your router has a strong password and there are no suspicious connections to your network.
Safe AirPlay Practices
Matthias Frielingsdorf, a veteran iOS researcher and cofounder of iVerify, tells us that everyone should follow basic digital security protocols. Those include installing updates as soon as they are available, maintaining strong network passwords, and most importantly, reducing the surface area for such attacks. Since AirPlay is the threat vector, users should take proactive steps while using it. Disabling this on iOS / macOS / tvOS devices that don’t need to be an AirPlay receiver would limit some of the attacks. In public spaces, disabling WiFi on the Mac and iPhone would stop those attacks as well.
Disabling AirPlay
AirPlay streaming is active by default, and as such, you need to disable it. To do so, follow this path on your iPhone or iPad: Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity > Ask. You can also set it to Never, if you don’t actively utilize this feature. There’s also an option to set a password, which is recommended. What about AirPlay itself? Can it be disabled? Yes, it can be turned off entirely. On your iPhone and iPad, go to the AirPlay & Continuity page and turn off the AirPlay Receiver toggle.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in AirPlay is a cautionary tale. Apple’s security guardrails are solid, but not impenetrable. The message is clear: keep your devices updated, disable features you don’t use, and be vigilant with network-related settings. Chris Hill, Chief Security Strategist at BeyondTrust, says users must understand the threat landscape instead of living with the idea that a certain ecosystem is safer than the rest. Threat actors are opportunistic, looking for the easiest path of least resistance, they will find it, and they did in this case with AirPlay and AirBorne. By taking the necessary precautions and staying informed, you can protect yourself from the risks associated with AirPlay vulnerabilities.
