CVE-2025-46285
📋 TL;DR
An integer overflow vulnerability in Apple operating systems could allow malicious applications to gain root privileges. This affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of timestamps that could lead to privilege escalation.
💻 Affected Systems
- iOS
- iPadOS
- macOS
- watchOS
- tvOS
- visionOS
📦 What is this software?
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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with root-level access, allowing attackers to install persistent malware, access all user data, and control system functions.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation where a malicious app gains elevated privileges to access sensitive system resources and user data.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper app sandboxing and security controls preventing malicious app installation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed and executed on the target device.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: watchOS 26.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3, iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2, macOS Tahoe 26.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, visionOS 26.2, tvOS 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. Download and install the latest available update. 4. Restart the device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Installation
allLimit app installation to only trusted sources from the App Store
Enable Gatekeeper
macOSEnsure Gatekeeper is enabled on macOS to verify app signatures
sudo spctl --master-enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict user permissions and implement least privilege principles
- Monitor for suspicious app behavior and privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS version against affected versions in System Settings/About This MacCheck Version:
sw_vers (macOS), uname -a (general), or check in Settings > General > About (iOS)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version matches or exceeds the patched versions listed in the CVE📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Processes running with unexpected root privileges
- App installation from untrusted sources
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from system processes
SIEM Query:
process:privilege_escalation AND os:apple AND timestamp:[now-7d TO now]🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125884
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125885
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125886
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125887
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125888
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125889
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125890
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/125891
