CVE-2025-43287: Apple macOS Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2025-43287 Overview

CVE-2025-43287 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Apple macOS that occurs when the operating system processes a maliciously crafted image. Apple addressed the issue with improved memory handling in macOS Tahoe 26. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction to open or render a crafted image file. Successful exploitation can corrupt process memory, leading to application crashes or potential code execution within the affected process context. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-119] (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer).

Critical Impact
Processing a maliciously crafted image on an unpatched macOS system may corrupt process memory, resulting in high confidentiality and availability impact.

Affected Products

Apple macOS versions prior to macOS Tahoe 26
Applications and system components that rely on the affected image processing routines
Any workflow that automatically renders or previews untrusted image files

Discovery Timeline

2025-09-15 - CVE-2025-43287 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-43287

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in macOS image processing logic. When the system parses a specially crafted image, malformed structures trigger improper memory operations that exceed the bounds of an allocated buffer. The result is memory corruption within the process handling the image. Apple's advisory states the fix was applied through improved memory handling, indicating the patch tightens validation around the affected parsing path.

An attacker delivers the malicious image to a target user through email attachments, web downloads, messaging platforms, or removable media. Opening or previewing the file in a vulnerable application triggers the corruption. The attack requires user interaction and operates within the security context of the application processing the image.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper bounds checking during image parsing, consistent with [CWE-119]. Malformed image metadata or pixel data causes the parser to read or write outside the intended buffer region. This category of flaw frequently leads to heap corruption, which can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution depending on the surrounding memory layout.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker crafts an image file containing structures designed to trigger the parsing flaw, then delivers it to the victim. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable macOS component, memory corruption occurs in the rendering process. No prior privileges are required for the attacker.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for this vulnerability. Refer to the Apple Support Document and the Full Disclosure Mailing List entry for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43287

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes or hangs in image-rendering applications or system services on macOS
Crash reports referencing image parsing libraries with memory access violations
Receipt of image files from untrusted sources via email, messaging, or web downloads followed by application instability

Detection Strategies

Monitor macOS unified logs and ReportCrash output for repeated faults in image processing components
Inspect endpoint telemetry for processes terminating abnormally shortly after opening image files
Correlate file delivery events (mail, browser downloads) with subsequent process crashes on the same host

Monitoring Recommendations

Collect crash dumps from macOS endpoints and forward them to a centralized analysis platform
Track macOS build versions across the fleet to identify hosts running versions older than macOS Tahoe 26
Alert on image file types delivered from external senders to high-risk users such as executives and developers

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43287

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade affected systems to macOS Tahoe 26 or later as soon as testing permits
Inventory macOS endpoints and prioritize patching hosts that frequently process external image files
Instruct users to avoid opening image attachments from untrusted or unverified senders

Patch Information

Apple resolved CVE-2025-43287 in macOS Tahoe 26 through improved memory handling. Full patch details are available in the Apple Support Document. Administrators should deploy the update through their standard macOS update channels or mobile device management (MDM) tooling.

Workarounds

Block or quarantine image attachments from untrusted external senders at the email gateway until patches are applied
Restrict automatic image previews in mail clients and messaging applications on unpatched endpoints
Apply application sandboxing and least-privilege configurations to limit the impact of any successful exploitation

bash

# Verify the installed macOS version on an endpoint
sw_vers -productVersion

# Trigger a software update check via the command line
sudo softwareupdate --list
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart