CVE-2025-31206
📋 TL;DR
A type confusion vulnerability in Apple's Safari browser and related operating systems could cause unexpected crashes when processing malicious web content. This affects users of Safari 18.5 and earlier, along with various Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The vulnerability allows attackers to crash Safari but does not appear to enable arbitrary code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- Safari
- iOS
- iPadOS
- macOS
- watchOS
- tvOS
- visionOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
Ipados by Apple
Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →Safari by Apple
Tvos by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Safari crashes repeatedly when visiting malicious websites, potentially causing denial of service for web browsing functionality.
Likely Case
Temporary browser crash requiring restart, with potential loss of unsaved work in active tabs.
If Mitigated
Browser crash with no data compromise or system-wide impact when proper web filtering and security controls are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (visiting malicious website) but no authentication. Type confusion vulnerabilities can sometimes be leveraged for more severe impacts, though Apple's description suggests only crashes.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: watchOS 11.5, tvOS 18.5, iPadOS 17.7.7, iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, macOS Sequoia 15.5, visionOS 2.5, Safari 18.5
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/122404
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings/System Preferences. 2. Navigate to Software Update. 3. Download and install the latest update for your device. 4. Restart your device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript
allPrevents execution of malicious JavaScript that could trigger the vulnerability
Safari: Safari → Settings → Security → uncheck 'Enable JavaScript'
Use Content Filtering
allBlock access to potentially malicious websites
Configure web filtering through firewall, DNS filtering, or browser extensions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict web content filtering to block access to untrusted websites
- Use alternative browsers until patches can be applied
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Safari version: Safari → About Safari. Check OS version: Settings → General → About (iOS/iPadOS) or Apple menu → About This Mac (macOS)Check Version:
macOS: sw_vers; iOS/iPadOS: Settings → General → About → Version; Safari: Safari → About SafariVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version numbers match or exceed: Safari 18.5, iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, macOS Sequoia 15.5, watchOS 11.5, tvOS 18.5, visionOS 2.5📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple Safari crash logs (look for 'Safari' crash reports)
- WebKit process termination events
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains followed by browser crashes
SIEM Query:
source="*crash*" AND process="Safari" OR process="WebKit"🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122404
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122405
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122716
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122719
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122720
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122721
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122722
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/10
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/12
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/13
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/5
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/6
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/7
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/06/msg00016.html
