Apple Fixes Microsoft Exchange Problems With iOS 6.1.2

Apple has released an update that should resolve a bug introduced in iOS 6.1 which caused problems with Microsoft Exchange 2010 servers.

Users attempting to fetch emails or check the calendar on their newly-updated iPhones and iPads caused log files to swell and CPU and RAM usage on servers running Exchange to spike, severely degrading performance.

iOS 6.1.2 is now available as an over-the-air update for iPhone and iPad, but there is no mention as to whether it fixes a security flaw which can see just about anyone bypass the iPhone’s lock screen.

iOS 6.1.2 Exchange solution

An alleged loophole was posted on YouTube last week, showing how users could access the iPhone’s ‘phone’ application with a few perfectly timed key presses. To exploit the loophole, users must cancel an emergency call before performing a number of button presses which should trick the device into keeping the ‘phone’ application on the device open. It appears as though the presses must be accurately executed, but if successful, this method will allow the hacker to make phone calls, view call records and other information such as contact details.

iOS 6.1 was released last month, offering expanded support for LTE networks on the iPhone 5 and faster web browsing, but some users flocked to Apple’s support forums to complain about connection problems and reduced battery life.

Vodafone had told its customers not download the update, warning that they might “occasionally experience difficulty in connecting to the network to make or receive calls or texts or to connect to the Internet.” Apple responded by rolling out iOS 6.1.1, which Vodafone ruled was safe for its iPhone users.

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Originally published on eWeek.