CVE-2025-43277 Overview
CVE-2025-43277 is a memory corruption vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. Processing a maliciously crafted audio file may lead to memory corruption, enabling local code execution within the context of the audio-processing component. The flaw is categorized under [CWE-119] (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer). Apple addressed the issue with improved memory handling in iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.8, tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, and watchOS 11.6. Exploitation requires user interaction — typically opening or previewing a malicious audio file.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation can corrupt process memory, leading to arbitrary code execution with high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability on affected Apple devices.
Affected Products
- Apple macOS Sequoia (versions prior to 15.6)
- Apple macOS Sonoma (versions prior to 14.8)
- Apple iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS (versions prior to 18.6, 2.6, and 11.6 respectively)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-30 - CVE-2025-43277 published to NVD
- 2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-43277
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Apple's audio file parsing logic. When the affected component processes a specially crafted audio file, improper memory handling causes corruption of in-process memory structures. Apple's advisory describes the remediation as "improved memory handling," indicating the original code path failed to validate buffer boundaries or object lifetimes during audio decoding.
The defect maps to [CWE-119], covering improper restriction of operations within memory buffer bounds. This class includes out-of-bounds reads, out-of-bounds writes, and related heap or stack corruption primitives. An attacker who controls the crafted audio data can manipulate the corrupted memory state to influence control flow or write attacker-chosen values into adjacent objects.
Root Cause
The root cause is unsafe memory access during audio file parsing. Insufficient validation of size fields, chunk boundaries, or codec metadata in the crafted file allows the parser to read or write outside intended buffer regions. Apple's fix introduces tighter memory handling within the affected audio routines.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a malicious audio file through email, messaging, web download, or shared storage. When the user opens the file in an application that invokes the vulnerable Apple audio framework, the parser triggers the memory corruption. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the affected process.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for this CVE. Refer to the Apple security update for macOS Sequoia 15.6 for vendor-supplied technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43277
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes or CrashReporter entries referencing Apple audio frameworks such as CoreAudio, AudioToolbox, or AudioConverter shortly after opening an audio file.
- Audio files arriving from untrusted sources with malformed headers, unusual codec identifiers, or oversized chunk descriptors.
- Anomalous child processes spawned by media playback or preview applications following audio file access.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for crash signatures and abnormal memory faults originating from audio-processing libraries on macOS and iOS-derived platforms.
- Inspect mail and web gateways for inbound audio attachments and correlate file delivery with subsequent process anomalies on the receiving endpoint.
- Track OS build versions across the fleet and flag devices still running pre-patch versions of macOS Sequoia, Sonoma, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward macOS unified logs and crash reports to a centralized analytics pipeline for signature-based and behavioral analysis.
- Alert on process injection, unsigned binary execution, or unexpected network connections initiated by media player processes.
- Audit application allowlists and restrict audio file handling to vetted applications where feasible.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43277
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Apple endpoints to iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.8, tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, or watchOS 11.6 or later.
- Inventory devices that cannot be updated immediately and apply compensating controls, including restricted audio file handling and stricter email attachment policies.
- Communicate user guidance to avoid opening audio files from unknown or untrusted senders until patches are deployed.
Patch Information
Apple released fixes across its product lines on July 30, 2025. Patch references are available in the vendor advisories: Apple Support Document #125112, Apple Support Document #124147, Apple Support Document #124149, Apple Support Document #124153, Apple Support Document #124154, and Apple Support Document #124155.
Workarounds
- Block or quarantine inbound audio attachments at email and web proxies until endpoints are patched.
- Disable automatic preview of audio files in mail clients and file managers where the option exists.
- Restrict execution of media playback applications using OS-level application controls or MDM policy until updates are applied.
# Verify macOS build version against patched releases
sw_vers -productVersion
# Expected output: 15.6 or later (Sequoia), 14.8 or later (Sonoma)
# Trigger MDM-managed software update on macOS
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
