CVE-2025-43224: Apple iPadOS Use-After-Free Vulnerability

CVE-2025-43224 Overview

CVE-2025-43224 is an out-of-bounds access vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw exists in media file processing logic and is classified under [CWE-787] (Out-of-Bounds Write). An attacker who convinces a user to open a maliciously crafted media file can trigger unexpected application termination or corrupt process memory. Apple addressed the issue with improved bounds checking in iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, tvOS 18.6, and visionOS 2.6.

Critical Impact
Processing a maliciously crafted media file may corrupt process memory or terminate the affected application, potentially enabling further exploitation on local Apple devices.

Affected Products

Apple iOS and iPadOS prior to 18.6
Apple macOS Sequoia prior to 15.6
Apple tvOS prior to 18.6 and visionOS prior to 2.6

Discovery Timeline

2025-07-30 - CVE-2025-43224 published to NVD
2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-43224

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds access condition in Apple's media file parsing routines. When the affected components process a specially crafted media file, the parser reads or writes outside the bounds of an allocated buffer. This results in process memory corruption or unexpected application termination.

The issue is local in nature and requires user interaction. A victim must open or process the malicious media file through an application that uses the vulnerable system frameworks. Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality and availability, though integrity remains intact per the published CVSS vector.

The EPSS score is 0.074% as of June 2026, indicating low predicted exploitation activity. No public proof-of-concept exploit code is currently available, and the CVE is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds checking when parsing media file structures. Apple's fix introduces improved bounds checking to validate buffer offsets and lengths before accessing memory. The vulnerability falls under [CWE-787], indicating data is written past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer.

Attack Vector

An attacker crafts a malformed media file designed to trigger the out-of-bounds access during parsing. The attacker delivers the file through email, messaging, web download, or other delivery channels. When the user opens the file with a vulnerable application or preview component, the parser dereferences memory outside the allocated region. This can corrupt adjacent memory structures and may serve as a primitive for chained exploitation.

No verified exploit code is publicly available. Refer to the Apple Security Advisory 124147 and related advisories for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43224

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes of media-handling applications such as QuickTime Player, Preview, Photos, or Safari when opening untrusted media files
Crash reports in ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ referencing media framework components with EXC_BAD_ACCESS or out-of-bounds signatures
Receipt of unsolicited media files via email, messaging applications, or web downloads from untrusted sources

Detection Strategies

Monitor endpoint telemetry for abnormal termination of media-processing applications correlated with recently delivered file attachments
Inspect crash dumps and system diagnostic logs for memory corruption signatures within Apple media frameworks
Hunt for suspicious media files delivered via phishing or messaging vectors targeting unpatched Apple endpoints

Monitoring Recommendations

Track OS version compliance across the Apple device fleet to identify endpoints still running pre-18.6, pre-15.6, or pre-2.6 builds
Enable centralized collection of macOS Unified Logs and iOS crash reports for forensic review
Correlate file delivery events with subsequent process termination events on the same endpoint

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43224

Immediate Actions Required

Update all Apple devices to iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, tvOS 18.6, or visionOS 2.6 or later
Inventory devices unable to receive the patch and apply compensating controls such as restricted media handling
Advise users to avoid opening media files from unknown or untrusted sources until patches are deployed

Patch Information

Apple released fixes addressing CVE-2025-43224 across affected platforms. Consult the official advisories for exact build numbers and supported devices: Apple Security Advisory 124147, Apple Security Advisory 124149, Apple Security Advisory 124153, and Apple Security Advisory 124154.

Workarounds

Block delivery of unsolicited media file attachments at email and messaging gateways
Apply mobile device management (MDM) policies that restrict installation of applications handling untrusted media
Enforce user awareness training to discourage opening unexpected media files from external sources

bash

# Verify macOS build version against the patched release
sw_vers -productVersion
# Expected: 15.6 or later for macOS Sequoia