CVE-2025-43533 – This vulnerability involves memory corruption i... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-43533?

CVE-2025-43533 has a CVSS score of 3.5 (LOW). This vulnerability involves memory corruption issues in Apple's operating systems that could allow a malicious HID (Human Interface Device) to cause unexpected process crashes. It affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Users of affected Apple devices are potentially vulnerable when connecting untrusted HID devices.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability involves memory corruption issues in Apple's operating systems that could allow a malicious HID (Human Interface Device) to cause unexpected process crashes. It affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Users of affected Apple devices are potentially vulnerable when connecting untrusted HID devices.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

iOS
iPadOS
macOS
watchOS
tvOS
visionOS

Versions: Versions prior to 26.2

Operating Systems: iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default configurations of affected Apple operating systems are vulnerable. The vulnerability is triggered by connecting malicious HID devices.

📦 What is this software?

Ipados by Apple

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Iphone Os by Apple

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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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

A malicious HID device could cause kernel panic or system crash leading to denial of service, potentially allowing for privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.

🟠

Likely Case

Most probable impact is application or process crashes when connecting malicious or specially crafted HID devices, resulting in denial of service.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper controls, impact is limited to temporary service interruption until system restart, with no data loss or persistent compromise.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This vulnerability requires physical or local network access to connect a malicious HID device.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal users with physical access could potentially exploit this to cause denial of service on affected Apple devices.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires physical access or ability to connect a malicious HID device. No authentication is required once device is connected.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: watchOS 26.2, iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, macOS Tahoe 26.2, visionOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125884

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on iOS/iPadOS/watchOS/tvOS/visionOS. 2. For macOS, go to System Settings > General > Software Update. 3. Download and install the 26.2 update. 4. Restart the device after installation completes.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict HID Device Connections

all

Limit or monitor connections of USB/HID devices to prevent malicious device connections

Physical Security Controls

all

Implement physical security measures to prevent unauthorized device connections

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized HID device connections
Monitor for unexpected system crashes and investigate any HID device connection events

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check current OS version: iOS/iPadOS - Settings > General > About > Version; macOS - Apple menu > About This Mac > macOS version; watchOS - Watch app > General > About > Version; tvOS - Settings > General > About > Version; visionOS - Settings > General > About > Software Version

Check Version:

iOS/iPadOS/watchOS/tvOS/visionOS: No command line, use GUI. macOS: sw_vers -productVersion

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify OS version is 26.2 or later using the same version check methods

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected process crashes, kernel panics, system restarts following HID device connections
USB/HID device connection logs showing unexpected devices

Network Indicators:

Not applicable - this is a local hardware-based vulnerability

SIEM Query:

Search for: 'kernel panic', 'process crash', 'watchdog timeout' events on Apple devices, correlated with USB/HID connection events

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-43533

CVSS v3 Score: 3.5 (LOW)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

CWE: CWE-20

EPSS Score: 0.04% exploit probability (10.5th percentile)

Published: December 17, 2025

Last Updated: December 18, 2025

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/en-us/125884 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125886 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125889 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125890 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125891 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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