CVE-2025-46305 Overview
CVE-2025-46305 is a memory corruption vulnerability affecting Apple macOS and iOS/iPadOS systems. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking when processing Human Interface Device (HID) data, which can be exploited by a malicious HID device to cause an unexpected process crash, resulting in a denial of service condition.
Critical Impact
A malicious HID device connected to an affected system may trigger a denial of service by causing an unexpected process crash through improper bounds validation.
Affected Products
- macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.7.4
- iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 versions prior to 18.7.5
- macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.8.4
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-02-11 - CVE CVE-2025-46305 published to NVD
- 2026-02-12 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-46305
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer). The flaw exists in how Apple's operating systems handle data from Human Interface Devices (HID) such as keyboards, mice, and other USB peripherals.
When a malicious HID device sends specially crafted input data, the affected system fails to properly validate the boundaries of the data being processed. This lack of proper bounds checking allows the malicious device to trigger memory access outside the intended buffer boundaries, leading to a process crash.
The attack requires physical access to connect a malicious HID device, limiting the attack surface but still presenting a meaningful risk in scenarios involving untrusted peripherals or public charging stations where malicious USB devices could be deployed.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2025-46305 is insufficient bounds validation when processing HID descriptor data and input reports from connected peripheral devices. The HID subsystem in affected Apple operating systems did not adequately verify that incoming data lengths and offsets fell within expected boundaries before performing memory operations.
Apple addressed this issue by implementing improved bounds checks that validate HID data before processing, ensuring that malformed or oversized data from connected devices cannot trigger out-of-bounds memory access.
Attack Vector
The attack vector for CVE-2025-46305 requires local access with user interaction. An attacker would need to:
- Prepare a malicious HID device programmed to send specially crafted descriptors or input reports
- Convince a user to connect the malicious device to their system, or gain physical access to connect it themselves
- When connected, the device would send malformed HID data designed to exceed expected buffer boundaries
- The vulnerable bounds checking code processes this data, triggering an out-of-bounds memory operation
- The affected process crashes, resulting in denial of service
This attack is limited by the requirement for physical device connection, but could be deployed through USB drop attacks or compromised charging stations.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-46305
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected system process crashes coinciding with USB or HID device connections
- Repeated crash logs in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ related to HID or IOKit subsystems
- Unusual USB device enumeration events in system logs preceding process crashes
- Multiple crash reports with similar stack traces involving HID processing routines
Detection Strategies
- Monitor system crash logs for patterns indicating HID-related memory violations
- Implement USB device whitelisting to prevent unauthorized HID devices from connecting
- Review Console.app logs for IOKit or USB subsystem errors following device connections
- Configure endpoint detection to alert on unexpected USB device enumeration followed by process crashes
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable enhanced logging for USB device events on critical systems
- Monitor for patterns of process crashes that correlate with HID device activity
- Implement USB port blocking or device control policies on high-security systems
- Review crash reports periodically for stack traces involving HID or IOKit frameworks
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-46305
Immediate Actions Required
- Update macOS Sequoia to version 15.7.4 or later immediately
- Update iOS and iPadOS 18 to version 18.7.5 or later
- Update macOS Sonoma to version 14.8.4 or later
- Avoid connecting untrusted USB devices or peripherals until systems are patched
Patch Information
Apple has released security updates addressing this vulnerability across multiple operating system versions. The fix implements improved bounds checks in the HID processing subsystem to prevent out-of-bounds memory access when handling device input.
For detailed patch information, refer to the following Apple security advisories:
Workarounds
- Implement USB device control policies to block unauthorized HID devices
- Avoid using public charging stations or untrusted USB ports with unpatched devices
- Use USB data blockers when charging from untrusted sources
- Physically secure USB ports on systems that cannot be immediately patched
# Configuration example
# Check current macOS version to verify patch status
sw_vers -productVersion
# For iOS/iPadOS, verify version in Settings > General > About
# Ensure version is 18.7.5 or later for iOS/iPadOS 18
# Enable automatic updates on macOS
sudo softwareupdate --schedule on
# List connected USB/HID devices for audit
system_profiler SPUSBDataType
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
