CVE-2025-31215
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows malicious web content to cause unexpected process crashes in Apple's Safari browser and operating systems. It affects users running outdated versions of watchOS, tvOS, iPadOS, iOS, macOS, visionOS, and Safari. The issue stems from improper input validation (CWE-20) that can be triggered through crafted web content.
💻 Affected Systems
- Safari
- watchOS
- tvOS
- iPadOS
- iOS
- macOS Sequoia
- 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
Denial of service through browser/application crashes, potentially disrupting user workflows and causing data loss if unsaved work is affected.
Likely Case
Temporary browser crashes when visiting malicious websites, requiring browser restart and potentially losing active sessions.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper patching; crashes would be prevented entirely.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (visiting malicious website) but no authentication. Apple has not disclosed exploit details.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: watchOS 11.5, tvOS 18.5, iPadOS 17.7.7, iOS 18.5, 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 app. 2. Navigate to General > Software Update. 3. Download and install available updates. 4. Restart device when prompted. For Safari on macOS: Update through System Settings > General > Software Update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript
allPrevents execution of malicious JavaScript that could trigger the vulnerability
Safari: Safari > Settings > Security > uncheck 'Enable JavaScript'
Use Content Blockers
allBlocks malicious content from loading
Install content blocker extensions from App Store
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict web browsing to trusted sites only
- Implement network filtering to block known malicious domains
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS version in Settings > General > About > Software Version. If version is below patched versions listed, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Software Version; macOS: Apple menu > About This Mac > macOS version; Safari: Safari > About SafariVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm OS version matches or exceeds patched versions: watchOS 11.5+, tvOS 18.5+, iPadOS 17.7.7+, iOS 18.5+, macOS Sequoia 15.5+, visionOS 2.5+, Safari 18.5+.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected Safari/WebKit process crashes
- Crash reports with WebKit-related stack traces
- Application termination logs
Network Indicators:
- Connections to suspicious domains followed by browser crashes
- Unusual web traffic patterns
SIEM Query:
source="*crash*" AND (process="Safari" OR process="WebKit") AND termination_type="crash"🔗 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
