CVE-2025-46301
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows a malicious Human Interface Device (HID) like a keyboard or mouse to cause unexpected process crashes on affected Apple systems. It affects macOS and iOS/iPadOS users who connect untrusted HID devices. The issue stems from improper bounds checking that can be exploited through specially crafted HID input.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
A malicious HID device could cause critical system processes to crash, potentially leading to denial of service, data loss, or system instability requiring reboot.
Likely Case
Most probable impact is application or process crashes when using compromised or specially crafted HID devices, disrupting user workflow.
If Mitigated
With proper controls, impact is limited to isolated process crashes without privilege escalation or data compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires physical access or compromised HID device. No authentication bypass needed once device is connected.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, iOS 18.7.5, iPadOS 18.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/126347
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Install available updates. 3. For iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > Software Update. 4. Apply the specified version updates.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Untrusted HID Devices
allPrevent connection of unknown or untrusted USB HID devices through physical security or device management policies.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict physical security controls for USB ports
- Use device management software to restrict unauthorized HID device connections
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS version against affected versions. For macOS: System Settings > General > About. For iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About.Check Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion. iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version matches or exceeds patched versions: macOS Sequoia 15.7.4+, iOS 18.7.5+, iPadOS 18.7.5+, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4+.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected process crashes related to HID input
- Kernel panic logs mentioning HID drivers
- Console logs showing HID-related errors
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
source="system.log" AND ("HID" OR "Human Interface Device") AND ("crash" OR "panic" OR "error")