CVE-2025-43455: Apple iPadOS Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2025-43455 Overview

CVE-2025-43455 is a privacy vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. A malicious application can capture screenshots of sensitive information rendered within embedded views. Apple addressed the issue with improved checks in iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, visionOS 26.1, and watchOS 26.1. The weakness is categorized under [CWE-200] Information Exposure. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, and impacts confidentiality only.

Critical Impact
A malicious app installed on an affected Apple device may capture screenshots that reveal sensitive information rendered inside embedded views, exposing user data intended to remain private.

Affected Products

Apple iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 26.1
Apple macOS Tahoe prior to 26.1, visionOS prior to 26.1
Apple watchOS prior to 26.1

Discovery Timeline

2025-11-04 - CVE-2025-43455 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2025-11-04 - Apple published fixed versions across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS, and watchOS
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-43455

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an information disclosure flaw in the handling of embedded views across Apple's operating systems. Embedded views typically render content owned by other applications, extensions, or system components. When a third-party app requests a screenshot, the system is expected to redact or block sensitive content that belongs to another security context. Prior to the fix, Apple's checks did not consistently enforce this boundary. As a result, a malicious app could capture image data containing sensitive information owned by another view. Apple resolved the issue by adding improved checks that validate the context of embedded view content before allowing screen capture operations.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient authorization checks around embedded view content capture, aligning with [CWE-200] Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor. Apple's advisory describes the fix as "improved checks," indicating a validation gap in the pre-patch code path that permitted content boundaries between the host app and embedded views to be bypassed during screenshot operations.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires an attacker to deliver and install a malicious application on the target device. Once running locally, the app invokes screenshot functionality against a view hierarchy that contains embedded content from another source. Because interaction with the affected UI flow is required, the attacker relies on the victim navigating to a screen where sensitive embedded content is rendered. No network access, elevated privileges, or credentials are required beyond installing an app that appears benign. The consequence is limited to disclosure of information visible within embedded views; integrity and availability are not affected.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. See the Apple Support Advisory #125634 for technical acknowledgment.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43455

Indicators of Compromise

Applications requesting screen capture entitlements or invoking screenshot APIs without a clear user-facing feature.
Unexpected image files generated by third-party apps that contain data from other apps' embedded views.
Apps exhibiting elevated background activity around moments when sensitive embedded views (payment, health, credentials) are on screen.

Detection Strategies

Inventory managed Apple devices to identify those running iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS, or watchOS below version 26.1.
Review Mobile Device Management (MDM) telemetry for installations of unvetted third-party apps that request screen recording or screenshot capabilities.
Apply application vetting policies that flag apps invoking private or undocumented UI capture functionality.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enforce MDM compliance rules that require devices to run patched OS versions before accessing corporate resources.
Monitor enterprise App Store deployments for apps that request broad screen capture privileges.
Track vendor security advisories from Apple to correlate new privacy CVEs with your fleet's patch state.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43455

Immediate Actions Required

Update all affected devices to iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, visionOS 26.1, or watchOS 26.1.
Restrict installation of apps from untrusted sources and enforce app vetting through your MDM platform.
Prioritize patching for devices used to handle sensitive data such as authentication credentials, financial information, or health records.

Patch Information

Apple released fixes in iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, visionOS 26.1, and watchOS 26.1. Refer to Apple Support Advisory #125632, Apple Support Advisory #125638, and Apple Support Advisory #125639 for release-specific details and installation guidance.

Workarounds

Remove or disable untrusted third-party applications until devices can be updated to the patched OS versions.
Avoid displaying sensitive information in embedded views while unpatched apps are installed on the device.
Use MDM configuration profiles to restrict which apps may be installed on managed devices.

bash

# Example MDM query to identify devices running vulnerable Apple OS versions
# (pseudocode - adapt to your MDM platform's query language)
SELECT device_id, os_version
FROM managed_devices
WHERE (os_name IN ('iOS','iPadOS','macOS','visionOS','watchOS'))
  AND os_version < '26.1';