Updating to 14.7.7 ... or 14.7.8?

What's new in the updates for macOS Sonoma - Apple Support

macOS Sonoma 14.7.8

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

Same vague reasons as with nearly every other release, but explained in greater detail below:

APPLE-SA-08-20-2025-4 macOS Sonoma 14.7.8

macOS Sonoma 14.7.8 addresses the following issues.
Information about the security content is also available at
About the security content of macOS Sonoma 14.7.8 - Apple Support.

Apple maintains a Security Releases page at
Apple security releases - Apple Support which lists recent
software updates with security advisories.

ImageIO
Available for: macOS Sonoma
Impact: Processing a malicious image file may result in memory
corruption. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been
exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted
individuals.
Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved
bounds checking.
CVE-2025-43300: Apple

macOS Sonoma 14.7.8 may be obtained from the Mac App Store or
Apple's Software Downloads web site:
Manuals, Specs, and Downloads - Apple Support

All information is also posted on the Apple Security Releases
web site: Apple security releases - Apple Support.

There is no need for concern if you would prefer to wait for the App Store update... unless of course you are one of those specific targeted individuals.

Or, just wait for Tahoe, assuming your iMac is toward the latter end of the iMac (2017 – 2020) period: OS - macOS Tahoe 26 - Apple

1. Both update versions include important security

• macOS Sonoma 14.7.8 includes a critical security path addressing an ImageIO vulnerability (potential exploit via a malicious image file that could lead to memory corruption)
• Prior 14.7.7 update also delivered important security fixes

2. The command you were seeing was due to the terminal showing it first, before the App Store did.

• Apple often makes new full installers (like 14.7.8) available via Terminal before they propagate through the App Store or System Settings. The softwareupdate--list-full-installers command reflects this early availability, which is why you're seeing 14.7.8 there but not in the App Store yet.

Hope this helps!

@ MartinR

Depending on your patience and needs to upgrade to Sonoma

You may hold off a bit longer

There maybe a subsequent update to version 14.7.8 looming on the horizon

Perhaps then, the Apple Apps Store will reflect correctly ?

According to Apple security updates and Rapid Security Responses

It would appear 14.7.8 may qualify ?

This document describes the security content of macOS Sonoma 14.7.8.

What I may have not explained clearly and that would be on me

Sonoma 14.8 appears to still in Beta Testing

Without revealing certain info

What I have seen

The numbering be a Full Point update

There is no particular need for urgency. Not in my opinion anyway.

I may be given a Yellow Card or possible a Red Card for this

But what the hay, 14.huit in French