CVE-2025-46302: macOS/iOS HID Device DoS Vulnerability

CVE-2025-46302 Overview

CVE-2025-46302 is a memory corruption vulnerability affecting Apple macOS and iOS/iPadOS systems. The issue stems from improper bounds checks when processing HID (Human Interface Device) input, allowing a malicious HID device to trigger an unexpected process crash. This vulnerability falls under CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer), indicating that the affected components fail to properly validate memory boundaries during HID device operations.

Critical Impact

A malicious HID device connected to an affected system may cause unexpected process crashes, resulting in denial of service conditions. Physical access with a crafted HID device is required for exploitation.

Affected Products

• macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.7.4
• iOS 18.7.5 and iPadOS 18.7.5 (and earlier versions)
• macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.8.4

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-11 - CVE-2025-46302 published to NVD
• 2026-02-12 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-46302

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-119, which encompasses improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer. The flaw exists in Apple's HID device handling subsystem where insufficient bounds checking allows specially crafted HID input to trigger memory access violations.

When a malicious HID device sends manipulated input data, the operating system's HID driver processes this data without adequately validating the boundaries of the memory operations. This oversight can lead to out-of-bounds memory access, causing the affected process to crash unexpectedly. While the vulnerability requires local access through a physical HID device connection, the potential for denial of service on critical systems makes this a noteworthy security concern.

The attack requires user interaction—specifically, the victim must connect or allow the malicious HID device to interface with the system. This requirement somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk, particularly in environments where users may connect untrusted peripherals.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-46302 is insufficient bounds checking in Apple's HID device input processing routines. When handling data from HID devices, the system fails to properly validate that memory operations stay within allocated buffer boundaries. This allows carefully crafted HID input to cause memory access beyond intended limits, triggering process crashes.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, requiring physical access to connect a malicious HID device to the target system. An attacker would need to craft a HID device (such as a USB keyboard, mouse, or other input device) that sends specially formatted data designed to exploit the bounds checking flaw.

The exploitation scenario involves:

1. Crafting a malicious HID device with manipulated firmware or configuration
2. Physically connecting the device to a vulnerable macOS, iOS, or iPadOS system
3. The device sends malformed input data that triggers the bounds check failure
4. The affected process crashes, causing denial of service

While physical access is required, this attack could be executed through social engineering (leaving malicious USB devices in public areas) or by an insider threat with physical access to target systems.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-46302

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected kernel panic or process crashes coinciding with HID device connections
• System log entries showing memory access violations in HID-related processes
• Unusual USB device enumeration events followed by system instability
• Crash reports indicating buffer overflows or out-of-bounds access in input handling components

Detection Strategies

• Monitor system logs for crash events related to HID subsystem components using log show --predicate 'subsystem == "com.apple.iokit"'
• Implement USB device whitelisting to prevent unauthorized HID devices from being recognized
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous USB device behavior
• Review crash reports for patterns indicating exploitation attempts targeting HID input processing

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for USB and HID device events on critical systems
• Configure alerts for unexpected process crashes, particularly those associated with input device handling
• Implement hardware security policies restricting USB device connections on sensitive endpoints
• Utilize SentinelOne's Singularity platform to monitor for unusual device enumeration and subsequent system instability patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-46302

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all affected Apple devices to the patched versions: macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4, and iOS/iPadOS 18.7.5
• Restrict physical access to systems in sensitive environments to minimize exposure to malicious HID devices
• Implement USB device policies that prevent unauthorized or unknown HID devices from connecting
• Educate users about the risks of connecting untrusted USB devices to corporate systems

Patch Information

Apple has addressed this vulnerability with improved bounds checks in the affected operating systems. The security patches are available through the following updates:

• macOS Sequoia 15.7.4 - Apple Security Advisory
• macOS Sonoma 14.8.4 - Apple Security Advisory
• iOS 18.7.5 and iPadOS 18.7.5 - Apple Security Advisory

Organizations should prioritize deploying these updates to all affected systems through their standard patch management processes.

Workarounds

• Implement USB port blocking or device control policies to prevent unauthorized HID devices from connecting
• Use USB data blockers (charge-only adapters) when connecting to untrusted charging stations
• Enable USB Restricted Mode on iOS devices to limit USB accessory functionality when devices are locked
• Deploy endpoint protection solutions with USB device control capabilities to whitelist only approved HID devices

# Example: Check macOS version to verify patch status
sw_vers -productVersion
# Should return 15.7.4 or later for Sequoia, 14.8.4 or later for Sonoma

# Example: View HID-related crash logs on macOS
log show --predicate 'subsystem == "com.apple.iokit"' --last 1h | grep -i hid