CVE-2025-43355
📋 TL;DR
A type confusion vulnerability in Apple operating systems allows malicious apps to cause denial-of-service conditions by exploiting memory handling flaws. This affects users running vulnerable versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS. The issue has been addressed in the latest updates.
💻 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 crash the operating system or specific services, causing temporary unavailability of the device.
Likely Case
App could cause application crashes or temporary system instability without persistent damage.
If Mitigated
With proper app sandboxing and security controls, impact is limited to the malicious app's own process.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires malicious app to be installed and executed. Type confusion vulnerabilities typically require specific memory manipulation knowledge.
🛠️ 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/System Preferences 2. Navigate to Software Update 3. Download and install the latest available update 4. Restart device when prompted
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Installation
allLimit app installation to App Store only and disable developer/sideloading options
Mobile Device Management Controls
allUse MDM to restrict app installation and enforce security policies
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict app installation policies and review all installed applications
- Monitor for unusual app behavior or system crashes and investigate promptly
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS version against affected versions listCheck Version:
iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version; macOS: Apple menu > About This Mac; tvOS: Settings > General > About; watchOS: Watch app on iPhone > General > About; visionOS: Settings > General > AboutVerify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected application crashes
- Kernel panic logs
- Memory violation errors in system logs
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
source="apple_system_logs" AND (event_type="crash" OR event_type="panic") AND process_name="kernel"🔗 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/49
- 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/56
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Sep/57
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Sep/58
