CVE-2025-43413
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows sandboxed applications on Apple operating systems to observe system-wide network connections, potentially exposing sensitive network traffic information. It affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS. The issue has been addressed in recent 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 →Safari by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
A malicious sandboxed app could monitor all network connections on the device, potentially capturing sensitive data, credentials, or communication patterns that could be used for further attacks.
Likely Case
An app could gather information about network services, connections, and potentially infer user behavior or device usage patterns through network observation.
If Mitigated
With proper sandbox restrictions, apps would be limited to observing only their own network connections, preventing system-wide monitoring.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious sandboxed app to be installed on the target device. No public exploit code has been disclosed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, visionOS 26.1
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125632
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 App Installation
allOnly install apps from trusted sources and the official App Store to reduce risk of malicious sandboxed apps.
Network Segmentation
allSegment sensitive network traffic to limit exposure if a device is compromised.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor for unusual network monitoring behavior from sandboxed applications
- Implement application allowlisting to control which apps can run on devices
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the device's operating system version against the affected versions listed in the affected_systems section.Check Version:
On Apple devices: Settings > General > About > Software VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the device is running one of the patched versions: tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, or visionOS 26.1.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual network monitoring activity from sandboxed applications
- Apps requesting network monitoring permissions beyond their stated purpose
Network Indicators:
- Suspicious outbound connections from sandboxed apps to unknown destinations
- Unusual network traffic patterns from individual apps
SIEM Query:
process_name:"sandboxed_app" AND network_connection_count > threshold AND destination_ip NOT IN allowed_networks