CVE-2025-43418 Overview
CVE-2025-43418 is an information disclosure vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS. An attacker with physical access to a locked device can view sensitive user information through options that were improperly exposed on the lock screen. Apple addressed the issue by restricting the options offered on a locked device.
The vulnerability is fixed in iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1, and iPadOS 26.1. The flaw is classified under [CWE-284] Improper Access Control. Exploitation requires physical possession of the target device, which limits the attack surface to scenarios involving lost, stolen, or temporarily unattended hardware.
Critical Impact
An attacker with physical access to a locked iPhone or iPad can view sensitive user information without unlocking the device.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS versions prior to 18.7.2 and prior to 26.1
- Apple iPadOS versions prior to 18.7.2 and prior to 26.1
- Apple iPhone and iPad hardware running the affected operating systems
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-05 - CVE-2025-43418 published to NVD
- 2026-09-26 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-43418
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the lock screen interface of iOS and iPadOS. The operating system exposed options or interactive elements on a locked device that should have been restricted until authentication. These exposed options allowed an attacker with physical access to retrieve sensitive user information without providing credentials or biometric verification.
Apple's advisory confirms the fix restricts the options offered on a locked device. The affected code path handled lock screen presentation logic rather than cryptographic or memory-safety routines. Impact is confined to confidentiality; the flaw does not allow modification of data or disruption of device availability.
The issue falls under [CWE-284] Improper Access Control. The lock screen is the primary enforcement boundary for user data when a device is physically out of its owner's possession. Any option reachable from the locked state must be audited to ensure it does not expose personal content, messages, notifications, or account identifiers.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper access control at the lock screen presentation layer. Specific interactive options remained available on the locked device despite exposing sensitive user information. Apple's remediation removes or restricts those options so they are no longer reachable before authentication.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires physical access to a locked, affected device. The attacker interacts with the lock screen using the exposed options to surface sensitive data. No network access, prior authentication, user interaction from the victim, or elevated privileges are required. The attack cannot be performed remotely.
No public proof-of-concept code is available, and the issue is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Apple has not disclosed detailed technical artifacts beyond the advisory text in Apple Support Article #125632 and Apple Support Article #125633.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43418
Indicators of Compromise
- No file-based or network indicators of compromise exist for this vulnerability because exploitation occurs through local lock screen interaction.
- Devices running iOS or iPadOS versions earlier than 18.7.2 or 26.1 are exposed and should be considered at risk until patched.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory managed Apple devices through Mobile Device Management (MDM) and flag any running iOS or iPadOS builds older than 18.7.2 or 26.1.
- Review MDM compliance reports for devices that have failed to apply the November 2025 security updates within the organization's patch window.
- Correlate lost or stolen device reports with the exposed OS version to prioritize remote wipe actions.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable MDM-based OS version reporting and alert when enrolled devices fall behind the current security release.
- Monitor Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager logs for devices that have not checked in after a scheduled update window.
- Track physical device loss events through help desk ticketing systems and tie them to patch state at the time of loss.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43418
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all affected iPhones and iPads to iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1, or iPadOS 26.1 as applicable.
- Push the update through MDM with an enforced installation deadline for managed devices.
- Re-verify lock screen privacy settings after the update, including notification previews and Control Center access from the lock screen.
Patch Information
Apple released fixes in iOS 18.7.2 and iPadOS 18.7.2 for the 18.x branch, and in iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 for the current branch. Patch details are documented in Apple Support Article #125632 and Apple Support Article #125633. Apply the update through Settings, Software Update, or via MDM-managed deployment.
Workarounds
- Disable notification previews on the lock screen through Settings, Notifications, Show Previews, When Unlocked, as a defense-in-depth measure.
- Restrict Control Center, Siri, Wallet, and Today View access from the lock screen in Settings, Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode).
- Treat any lost or stolen unpatched device as a potential data exposure event and initiate Find My remote wipe when recovery is unlikely.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.