CVE-2025-43501
📋 TL;DR
A buffer overflow vulnerability in Apple's Safari browser and related operating systems allows attackers to cause unexpected process crashes by tricking users into visiting malicious websites. This affects users of Safari, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. The vulnerability can be exploited without authentication through web content.
💻 Affected Systems
- Safari
- iOS
- iPadOS
- macOS
- visionOS
📦 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
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Potential remote code execution leading to full system compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities, though the CVSS score suggests limited impact.
Likely Case
Denial of service through browser/application crash, potentially disrupting user activities.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper patching and security controls in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (visiting malicious website) but no authentication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Safari 26.2, iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3, iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2, macOS Tahoe 26.2, visionOS 26.2
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125884
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings/System Preferences. 2. Navigate to Software Update. 3. Install all available updates. 4. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript
allPrevents execution of malicious scripts that could trigger the buffer overflow.
Use Alternative Browser
allTemporarily use non-Safari browsers until patched.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web content filtering to block malicious sites
- Restrict browser usage to trusted websites only
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current version against affected versions listed in Apple advisories.Check Version:
Safari: Safari > About Safari; iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About; macOS: Apple menu > About This Mac; visionOS: Settings > General > AboutVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm installed version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in fix_official.patch_version.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected Safari/WebKit process crashes
- Memory violation errors in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Connections to known malicious domains serving crafted content
SIEM Query:
source="*system.log*" AND ("Safari" OR "WebKit") AND ("crash" OR "segfault" OR "memory")