CVE-2025-43186
📋 TL;DR
This is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Apple's file parsing components across multiple operating systems. Exploitation could allow arbitrary code execution when processing malicious files. All users of affected Apple operating systems are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- watchOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
- tvOS
- macOS Sequoia
- macOS Sonoma
- visionOS
- macOS Ventura
📦 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 →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
Remote code execution with kernel privileges leading to complete system compromise
Likely Case
Application crashes (denial of service) with potential for limited code execution
If Mitigated
Application termination without code execution if memory protections are effective
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to open a malicious file. No public exploit code is currently available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: watchOS 11.6, iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6, tvOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, visionOS 2.6, macOS Ventura 13.7.7
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/124147
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings/System Preferences 2. Navigate to Software Update 3. Download and install the latest update 4. Restart the device when prompted
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict file handling
allConfigure applications to open only trusted file types from trusted sources
Application sandboxing
allUse sandboxed applications for file processing when possible
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to restrict which applications can open files
- Deploy network filtering to block suspicious file downloads and email attachments
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS version against affected versions listCheck Version:
On macOS: sw_vers -productVersion; On iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in fix_official📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes related to file parsing
- Memory access violation logs
- Unexpected process termination
Network Indicators:
- Unusual file downloads to Apple devices
- Suspicious email attachments being accessed
SIEM Query:
source="apple_system_logs" AND (event="crash" OR event="memory_violation") AND process="*file_parser*"🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124147
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124149
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124150
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124151
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124153
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124154
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124155
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/30
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/32
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/33
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/34
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/36
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/37
