CVE-2025-43383: Apple iPadOS Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2025-43383 Overview

CVE-2025-43383 is an out-of-bounds access vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw resides in media file processing routines and can be triggered when a user opens a maliciously crafted media file. Successful exploitation may lead to unexpected application termination or corruption of process memory.

Apple addressed the issue with improved bounds checking in iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1. The vulnerability maps to [CWE-125] Out-of-Bounds Read.

Critical Impact
Processing a maliciously crafted media file may lead to unexpected app termination or corruption of process memory on affected Apple devices.

Affected Products

Apple iOS and iPadOS (versions prior to 18.7.2 and 26.1)
Apple macOS Sequoia (prior to 15.7.2) and macOS Tahoe (prior to 26.1)
Apple tvOS 26.1 and visionOS 26.1

Discovery Timeline

2025-11-04 - CVE-2025-43383 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-43383

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2025-43383 is an out-of-bounds access flaw [CWE-125] in the media parsing components shared across Apple's operating systems. When the affected code processes a specially crafted media file, it reads memory outside the bounds of an allocated buffer. This behavior can crash the application handling the file or corrupt sensitive process memory used by the parser.

Out-of-bounds reads in media codecs are typically caused by insufficient validation of size, offset, or length fields inside container or codec headers. An attacker crafts values that cause parsing loops or index calculations to exceed the buffer allocated for the media stream. The result is undefined behavior tied directly to attacker-controlled input.

Exploitation requires user interaction — the target must open or preview the crafted file. Delivery vectors include email attachments, messaging apps, browser downloads, and shared cloud storage. Because media parsers run in many system contexts, the flaw can be reached through standard user workflows.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds validation in a media file parser shipped across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Apple's advisories state the issue was addressed with improved bounds checking, indicating the fix adds explicit length or offset validation before memory access.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-adjacent with required user interaction. An attacker delivers a malicious media file and the victim opens it in an application that invokes the vulnerable parser. No authentication or elevated privileges are required on the target device.

See the Apple security advisories for technical details on the affected components and fixed builds.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43383

Indicators of Compromise

Repeated crashes of media-handling applications with signatures referencing out-of-bounds reads or EXC_BAD_ACCESS in system crash logs.
Malformed media files (images, audio, or video) arriving via email, messaging platforms, or web downloads that trigger parser exceptions.
Unexpected termination of Preview, QuickTime, Messages, Mail, or other media-consuming applications shortly after file open events.

Detection Strategies

Collect and analyze macOS and iOS crash reports (.ips files) for repeated faults in media framework libraries.
Inspect endpoint telemetry for processes spawning crash reporter binaries immediately after opening files with media MIME types.
Correlate mail and messaging gateway logs with endpoint crash events to identify potential delivery of malicious media payloads.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor patch compliance across Apple fleets and flag devices running builds older than iOS/iPadOS 18.7.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, or the 26.1 releases.
Track user reports of application crashes tied to specific inbound files and preserve the files for forensic analysis.
Alert on abnormal volumes of media file downloads from untrusted senders, especially attachments with mismatched extensions or MIME types.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43383

Immediate Actions Required

Update all Apple devices to iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, or visionOS 26.1.
Prioritize patching for devices that regularly process untrusted media files, such as executive endpoints and shared workstations.
Instruct users to avoid opening media attachments from unknown senders until updates are applied.

Patch Information

Apple released fixes across its operating system lineup. Consult the vendor advisories for build numbers and release notes: Apple Support Article #125632, Apple Support Article #125633, Apple Support Article #125634, Apple Support Article #125635, Apple Support Article #125637, and Apple Support Article #125638.

Workarounds

Disable automatic media previews in mail clients and messaging applications where policy allows.
Use mobile device management (MDM) to enforce minimum OS versions and block enrollment of devices running unpatched builds.
Restrict inbound file types at the email gateway to reduce exposure to crafted media payloads until patches are deployed.

bash

# Verify installed macOS build after patching
sw_vers

# Confirm iOS/iPadOS build via MDM query or Settings > General > About
# Target builds: iOS/iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS/iPadOS 26.1, macOS 15.7.2, macOS 26.1