Sierra 10.13.1 — Macos High
The 10.13.1 update addressed several severe vulnerabilities to safeguard user data:
Apple released macOS High Sierra 10.13.1 on October 31, 2017, as the first major point update to the High Sierra operating system. While the initial 10.13 release focused on laying down a futuristic foundation for Mac hardware, version 10.13.1 arrived to patch critical vulnerabilities, introduce user-facing features, and improve overall system stability. Core Features and New Additions The New Emoji Library
What’s not great
Ironically, while 10.13.1 fixed the password hint flaw, it was the version that patched the infamous “root login with empty password” bug. That security catastrophe was discovered and patched in a supplemental update released on November 29, 2017. If you are running 10.13.1 without the subsequent security update 2017-001, your Mac is critically vulnerable: anyone with physical access (or remote screen sharing) could log in as root by leaving the password blank. macos high sierra 10.13.1
Understanding macOS 10.13.1 requires looking beyond the surface. It was a foundational release that bridged the gap between legacy Mac architectures and the modern, secure ecosystem we use today. Key Features and Enhancements
: If your hardware supports it, you can upgrade from High Sierra to newer versions like macOS Big Sur or macOS Mojave to access more recent development tools. Writing a "Piece" (Overview of 10.13.1)
Apple addressed 147 security issues in this release cycle, including 90 fixes for the tcpdump packet analyzer. Legacy Support and 2025 Context The 10
But history has not been kind to it. The subsequent discovery of the root password vulnerability cast a long shadow over the entire High Sierra lineage. Today, 10.13.1 exists only as a historical artifact for vintage Mac enthusiasts, audio preservationists, and enterprise IT managers maintaining air-gapped legacy systems.
: This version was notably impacted by a bug allowing anyone to log in as "root" without a password. While Apple released an emergency security patch shortly after 10.13.1, you should ensure your system is updated to at least 10.13.6 to remain as secure as possible.
High Sierra itself was a “quality and performance” release—less about flashy new apps and more about future-proofing the Mac. Version 10.13.1 cemented that vision by ironing out launch bugs and reinforcing system security. For users still on older hardware, it also served as one of the last stable versions to support certain legacy applications before Apple moved toward even stricter security models in macOS Mojave and beyond. That security catastrophe was discovered and patched in
Save your open work, as your Mac will restart to complete the installation.
If you're still running macOS High Sierra 10.13.1, it's essential to consider the following:
The Legacy of macOS High Sierra 10.13.1: Features, Security, and Performance