CVE-2025-43216
📋 TL;DR
A use-after-free vulnerability in Apple's Safari browser and related WebKit components allows attackers to cause unexpected crashes by processing malicious web content. This affects users of Safari on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The vulnerability could potentially be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- Safari
- WebKit
📦 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
Remote code execution leading to full system compromise, data theft, or malware installation.
Likely Case
Denial of service through browser crashes, potentially enabling further exploitation attempts.
If Mitigated
Browser crash with no further impact if sandboxing and other security controls function properly.
🎯 Exploit Status
Use-after-free vulnerabilities typically require specific memory manipulation techniques but can be exploited via crafted web content without authentication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Safari 18.6, watchOS 11.6, iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6, iPadOS 17.7.9, tvOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, visionOS 2.6
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/124147
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings (macOS) or Settings (iOS/iPadOS). 2. Navigate to General > Software Update. 3. Install the latest available update. 4. Restart the device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript
allPrevents execution of malicious JavaScript that could trigger the vulnerability.
Use alternative browser
allTemporarily switch to Chrome, Firefox, or other non-WebKit browsers until patched.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web content filtering to block known malicious sites
- Enable enhanced browser sandboxing and security features where available
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Safari version: Safari > About Safari. Compare against patched versions listed in Apple advisory.Check Version:
macOS: sw_vers; iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Safari version is 18.6 or higher, or OS versions match patched versions listed in affected systems.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Safari/WebKit crash logs
- Unexpected browser termination events
- Memory access violation errors
Network Indicators:
- Connections to known malicious domains serving crafted content
- Unusual web traffic patterns
SIEM Query:
source="*safari*" AND (event="crash" OR event="termination")🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124147
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124148
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124149
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124152
- 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/Aug/0
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/30
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/31
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/32
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/35
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/36
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/08/02/1
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/08/msg00015.html
