CVE-2025-31219 Overview
CVE-2025-31219 is a memory handling vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. An authenticated attacker with network access can trigger unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory. Apple addressed the issue with improved memory handling in security updates released across its product line.
The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-119] (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer). The flaw impacts iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. The EPSS score is 0.5% with a percentile of 66.141.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation results in kernel memory corruption or denial of service, potentially destabilizing the kernel across Apple's full device ecosystem.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS prior to 18.5 and iPadOS prior to 18.5 (also iPadOS 17.7.7)
- Apple macOS Sequoia prior to 15.5, macOS Sonoma prior to 14.7.6, macOS Ventura prior to 13.7.6
- Apple tvOS prior to 18.5, visionOS prior to 2.5, watchOS prior to 11.5
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-12 - CVE-2025-31219 published to NVD
- 2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-31219
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw resides in kernel-level memory handling routines within multiple Apple operating systems. Apple's advisory states an attacker may cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory. The vulnerability requires network adjacency and low privileges, with no user interaction.
Memory corruption at the kernel layer affects integrity and availability of the operating system. The confidentiality impact is rated as none, but integrity and availability impacts are present. Kernel memory corruption can also serve as a primitive within larger exploit chains targeting privilege escalation.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper memory handling in a kernel component shared across Apple's operating system code base. Apple's security advisories indicate the fix involves improved memory handling. The bug aligns with [CWE-119], where operations exceed the bounds of an allocated buffer.
Apple has not disclosed the specific subsystem or function affected. The shared nature of the code base explains coverage across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS in the same advisory cycle.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity. The attacker must possess low-level privileges on the target system to invoke the affected code path. No user interaction is required to trigger the condition.
A successful attack causes the system to terminate unexpectedly or leaves kernel memory in a corrupted state. Public technical details remain limited. Refer to the Apple Security Update 122404 and associated advisories for vendor information.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-31219
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected kernel panics or device reboots on Apple endpoints, particularly clustered events across managed fleets
- Crash report artifacts in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ referencing kernel memory faults on macOS hosts
- Anomalous network sessions from authenticated low-privilege accounts preceding device instability
Detection Strategies
- Inventory Apple endpoints and compare installed OS build numbers against the patched versions (iOS/iPadOS 18.5, iPadOS 17.7.7, macOS 15.5/14.7.6/13.7.6, tvOS 18.5, visionOS 2.5, watchOS 11.5)
- Centralize macOS crash reports and kernel panic logs into a SIEM or log analytics platform for correlation
- Alert on repeated kernel terminations originating after inbound network sessions from non-privileged sources
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward /var/log/DiagnosticMessages/ and unified log entries from macOS endpoints to a centralized log store
- Track Mobile Device Management (MDM) compliance reports to confirm fleet-wide patch adoption across iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS
- Baseline normal kernel crash rates per device cohort and trigger alerts on statistically significant deviations
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-31219
Immediate Actions Required
- Deploy the Apple security updates referenced in advisories 122404, 122405, 122716, 122717, 122718, 122720, 122721, and 122722 to all affected devices
- Enforce update compliance through MDM policies and block non-compliant devices from sensitive network segments
- Restrict network access to Apple endpoints from untrusted or low-trust networks until patching is complete
Patch Information
Apple released fixes in iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, iPadOS 17.7.7, macOS Sequoia 15.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, macOS Ventura 13.7.6, tvOS 18.5, visionOS 2.5, and watchOS 11.5. Detailed release notes are available in Apple Security Update 122404, Apple Security Update 122405, Apple Security Update 122716, Apple Security Update 122717, Apple Security Update 122718, Apple Security Update 122720, Apple Security Update 122721, and Apple Security Update 122722.
Workarounds
- No vendor-supplied workaround exists; patching is the only supported remediation
- Segment Apple devices on isolated VLANs and restrict inbound traffic from untrusted hosts to reduce exposure
- Require strong authentication for any service that accepts inbound connections to Apple endpoints to limit the population of attackers meeting the low-privilege prerequisite
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
