CVE-2025-43213 Overview
CVE-2025-43213 is a memory handling vulnerability affecting Apple Safari and multiple Apple operating systems. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected Safari crash, resulting in a denial-of-service condition. Apple addressed the flaw with improved memory handling in Safari 18.6, iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, and watchOS 11.6.
The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-119] (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) and [CWE-120] (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input). Exploitation requires user interaction, typically visiting a malicious webpage.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can trigger an unexpected Safari crash by delivering maliciously crafted web content to a victim, disrupting browsing sessions across Apple platforms.
Affected Products
- Apple Safari (prior to 18.6)
- Apple iOS and iPadOS (prior to 18.6), macOS Sequoia (prior to 15.6)
- Apple tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, and watchOS 11.6 (prior versions)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-30 - CVE-2025-43213 published to NVD
- 2026-07-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-43213
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the memory handling logic used by Safari and the underlying WebKit rendering engine when processing web content. When Safari parses maliciously crafted HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, improper memory operations occur that can corrupt process state and lead to an unexpected crash.
Apple's advisory attributes the fix to improved memory handling, indicating the root cause involves boundary or lifetime handling on a memory buffer. The classification under [CWE-119] and [CWE-120] points to buffer operations that did not correctly validate input size or region boundaries before writing or copying data.
Exploitation results in an availability impact only. Confidentiality and integrity are not affected according to the published metrics. The attack is remote and low-complexity but requires the victim to interact with attacker-controlled content.
Root Cause
Safari's WebKit engine performs memory operations on structures derived from untrusted web input. The affected code path did not correctly bound or manage a memory region, allowing malformed content to trigger a fault. Apple resolved the defect by tightening memory handling in the affected component.
Attack Vector
An attacker hosts a malicious webpage or delivers crafted web content through email, messaging, or embedded frames. When the victim opens the content in a vulnerable Safari or WebKit-based application, the parser triggers the memory fault and Safari terminates unexpectedly. No authentication or elevated privileges are required.
The vulnerability is described in prose because no verified public proof-of-concept code is available. See the Apple Support Article 124147 and related advisories for the vendor description of the affected component.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43213
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected and repeated Safari or WebKit process crashes across managed macOS and iOS endpoints
- Crash reports referencing WebKit memory faults after visiting untrusted web content
- Endpoints running Safari, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS builds earlier than the fixed versions listed by Apple
Detection Strategies
- Inventory Apple endpoints and compare installed OS and Safari versions against the fixed builds (Safari 18.6, iOS/iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, watchOS 11.6)
- Collect and review ReportCrash and diagnostic logs on macOS for Safari and com.apple.WebKit process terminations correlated with browsing activity
- Monitor web proxy and DNS telemetry for user navigation to newly registered or low-reputation domains that precede browser crash events
Monitoring Recommendations
- Aggregate macOS unified logs and iOS crash telemetry into a centralized log platform for correlation with browsing telemetry
- Alert on abnormal spikes of Safari process restarts across a fleet, which may indicate targeted delivery of malicious web content
- Track patch compliance for the affected Apple platforms as a recurring metric in vulnerability management dashboards
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43213
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Safari to version 18.6 and upgrade Apple operating systems to the fixed releases listed in the Apple advisories
- Prioritize managed devices that frequently browse untrusted content or handle sensitive workloads
- Advise users to avoid opening untrusted links until affected devices are patched
Patch Information
Apple released fixes in Safari 18.6, iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, and watchOS 11.6. Refer to the following advisories for platform-specific details: Apple Support Article 124147, Apple Support Article 124149, Apple Support Article 124152, Apple Support Article 124153, Apple Support Article 124154, and Apple Support Article 124155. Red Hat has published corresponding errata including RHSA-2026:9692 and Red Hat CVE-2025-43213.
Workarounds
- Restrict browsing to trusted sites and enforce web filtering through a secure web gateway until patches are applied
- Use enterprise mobility management (MDM) to block or restrict Safari usage on unpatched devices where feasible
- Educate users to close and relaunch Safari after crashes and to report repeated crashes to IT for triage
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
