CVE-2025-43302
📋 TL;DR
An out-of-bounds write vulnerability in Apple operating systems allows malicious apps to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially causing system crashes or unexpected termination. This affects users running vulnerable versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS. The vulnerability requires a malicious app to be installed on the device.
💻 Affected Systems
- iOS
- iPadOS
- macOS
- tvOS
- watchOS
- visionOS
📦 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 →Tvos by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Malicious app could potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, leading to full system compromise, data theft, or persistent malware installation.
Likely Case
Most probable impact is denial of service through system crashes or unexpected termination, disrupting device functionality.
If Mitigated
With proper app vetting and security controls, impact is limited to potential app crashes without system-wide effects.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed and executed on the target device. No public exploit code is currently available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: tvOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS Sonoma 14.8, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, macOS Sequoia 15.7, visionOS 26, iOS 18.7 and iPadOS 18.7
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125108
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings app. 2. Navigate to General > Software Update. 3. Download and install the latest available update. 4. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Installation
allLimit app installation to only trusted sources from the official App Store
Settings > General > Device Management (for enterprise) or Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps > Don't Allow
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application allowlisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted apps
- Monitor for system crashes or unexpected terminations as potential exploitation indicators
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS version against affected versions in CVE descriptionCheck Version:
iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version. macOS: Apple menu > About This Mac > macOS version. tvOS: Settings > General > About > Version. watchOS: Watch app on iPhone > General > About > Version.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version matches or exceeds the patched versions listed in the CVE📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- System crash reports
- Unexpected process termination logs
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for: 'kernel panic', 'system crash', 'unexpected termination' in system logs🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125108
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125109
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125111
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125112
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125114
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125115
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125116
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Sep/50
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Sep/53
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Sep/54
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Sep/55
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Sep/57
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Sep/58
