CVE-2025-31239
📋 TL;DR
A use-after-free vulnerability in Apple operating systems allows parsing malicious files to cause unexpected application termination. This affects users of watchOS, macOS, tvOS, iPadOS, iOS, and visionOS who open untrusted files. The vulnerability has been addressed in recent updates.
💻 Affected Systems
- watchOS
- macOS
- tvOS
- iPadOS
- iOS
- 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 →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 →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 →Tvos by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Potential arbitrary code execution leading to full system compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
Application crash or denial of service when processing malicious files.
If Mitigated
No impact if systems are patched or untrusted files are not processed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to open a malicious file. No public exploits are known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: watchOS 11.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, tvOS 18.5, iPadOS 17.7.7, iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, macOS Sequoia 15.5, visionOS 2.5, macOS Ventura 13.7.6
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 the latest available update. 4. Restart the device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict file processing
allAvoid opening untrusted files from unknown sources.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of vulnerable applications.
- Use network segmentation to isolate vulnerable systems from untrusted networks.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the operating system version in Settings > General > About.Check Version:
On macOS: sw_vers. On iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify the installed version matches or exceeds the patched versions listed in the advisory.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crash logs related to memory corruption
- Unexpected process termination events
Network Indicators:
- Unusual file downloads from untrusted sources
SIEM Query:
source="apple_system_logs" AND (event="process_crash" OR event="memory_error")🔗 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/122717
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122718
- 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/11
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/12
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/5
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/6
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/7
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/8
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/May/9
