CVE-2025-31281
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an input validation vulnerability in Apple operating systems that allows maliciously crafted files to cause unexpected app termination. The vulnerability affects visionOS, tvOS, macOS Sequoia, iOS, and iPadOS. Attackers can exploit this to crash applications by processing specially crafted files.
💻 Affected Systems
- visionOS
- tvOS
- macOS Sequoia
- iOS
- iPadOS
📦 What is this software?
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 →Tvos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Potential for arbitrary code execution leading to full system compromise if memory corruption can be leveraged beyond denial of service.
Likely Case
Application crashes (denial of service) when processing malicious files, disrupting user workflows.
If Mitigated
Limited to application termination without data loss if proper sandboxing and memory protections are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to process malicious files; no public exploit code is currently available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/124147
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
allLimit processing of untrusted files by disabling automatic file opening and using application sandboxing.
User education
allTrain users to avoid opening files from untrusted sources and to verify file integrity before processing.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to restrict which applications can process files.
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious file processing behavior.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the operating system version in Settings > General > About on iOS/iPadOS, or System Settings > General > About on macOS/tvOS/visionOS.Check Version:
On macOS: sw_vers -productVersion; On iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm the operating system version matches or exceeds the patched versions listed in the fix information.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crash logs with memory access violations
- Unexpected process termination events in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual file downloads from untrusted sources
- Network traffic patterns associated with file delivery mechanisms
SIEM Query:
source="apple_system_logs" AND (event="process_crash" OR event="memory_violation") AND process_name IN ("affected_applications")🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124147
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124149
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124153
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124154
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/30
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/32
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/36
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/37
