CVE-2025-43202: Apple iOS/macOS Buffer Overflow Flaw

CVE-2025-43202 Overview

CVE-2025-43202 is a memory corruption vulnerability affecting Apple's iOS, iPadOS, and macOS operating systems. The vulnerability exists in the file processing functionality where improper memory handling can lead to memory corruption when processing specially crafted files. Apple has addressed this issue with improved memory handling in iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, and macOS Sequoia 15.6.

Critical Impact

Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to memory corruption, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes on affected Apple devices.

Affected Products

• iOS versions prior to 18.6
• iPadOS versions prior to 18.6
• macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.6

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-02 - CVE-2025-43202 published to NVD
• 2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-43202

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from improper memory handling during file processing operations within Apple's operating systems. When a user opens or processes a maliciously crafted file, the system fails to properly manage memory allocations, leading to memory corruption. This type of vulnerability can potentially be leveraged by attackers to achieve various malicious outcomes, including arbitrary code execution, application instability, or denial of service conditions.

Memory corruption vulnerabilities in file processing components are particularly concerning because they can be triggered through common user interactions such as opening email attachments, downloading files from the web, or previewing documents.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-43202 lies in insufficient memory handling routines within the file processing subsystem. When certain file types are processed, the affected components fail to properly validate memory boundaries or manage memory allocations, resulting in memory corruption. Apple has remediated this issue by implementing improved memory handling mechanisms that properly validate and manage memory during file processing operations.

Attack Vector

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious file designed to trigger the memory corruption condition. The attack scenario typically involves:

1. The attacker creates a specially crafted file that exploits the memory handling flaw
2. The victim receives or downloads the malicious file through various vectors such as email, messaging applications, or web downloads
3. When the victim opens or processes the file, the memory corruption is triggered
4. Depending on the nature of the corruption, the attacker may achieve code execution, information disclosure, or cause application crashes

Since no verified code examples are available for this vulnerability, security researchers and defenders should refer to the Apple Support Article #124147 and Apple Support Article #124149 for additional technical details regarding the vulnerability and its remediation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43202

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected application crashes during file processing operations
• Unusual memory consumption patterns when handling files
• System instability or abnormal behavior after opening files from untrusted sources
• Core dump files indicating memory corruption in file processing components

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for abnormal file processing behavior and application crashes on Apple devices
• Implement endpoint detection solutions that can identify memory corruption exploitation attempts
• Review system logs for signs of repeated crashes or memory-related errors in file handling processes
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity platform for real-time behavioral analysis and threat detection

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable crash reporting and logging on all Apple devices within the organization
• Configure centralized log collection to aggregate and analyze crash reports across endpoints
• Implement file scanning solutions to detect potentially malicious files before processing
• Monitor for unusual system behavior following file operations from external sources

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43202

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all iOS devices to version 18.6 or later immediately
• Update all iPadOS devices to version 18.6 or later immediately
• Update all macOS Sequoia systems to version 15.6 or later immediately
• Avoid opening files from untrusted or unknown sources until patches are applied

Patch Information

Apple has released security updates that address this vulnerability through improved memory handling. Organizations and users should apply the following updates:

• iOS 18.6 - Available through Settings > General > Software Update
• iPadOS 18.6 - Available through Settings > General > Software Update
• macOS Sequoia 15.6 - Available through System Preferences > Software Update

For detailed information about the security content of these updates, refer to the Apple Support Article #124147 for macOS and Apple Support Article #124149 for iOS and iPadOS.

Workarounds

• Restrict file downloads from untrusted sources on unpatched devices
• Implement email filtering to quarantine potentially malicious attachments
• Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce update policies across organizational devices
• Consider temporarily disabling automatic file previews until devices are patched

# Verify iOS/iPadOS version via command line (for managed devices)
# Check that devices are running iOS/iPadOS 18.6 or later
cfgutil --format JSON get firmwareVersion

# For macOS, verify the system version
sw_vers -productVersion
# Ensure output shows 15.6 or later for macOS Sequoia