CVE-2025-31281
CRITICALCVSS Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
Lifecycle Timeline
2Description
An input validation issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination.
Analysis
Memory handling flaws in Apple's operating systems allow unauthenticated remote attackers to cause information disclosure and application crashes by sending maliciously crafted files. Affects iOS 18.x prior to 18.6, iPadOS 18.x prior to 18.6, macOS Sequoia prior to 15.6, tvOS prior to 18.6, and visionOS prior to 2.6. CVSS 9.1 (Critical) reflects network-accessible attack vector with no authentication required, though EPSS probability remains low at 0.12% (32nd percentile), and no public exploit or active exploitation confirmed at time of analysis.
Technical Context
This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation (CWE-20) during processing of file content, resulting in improper memory handling that can be exploited remotely. The affected components span Apple's entire operating system ecosystem including iOS (cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os), iPadOS (cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados), macOS Sequoia (cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos), tvOS (cpe:2.3:o:apple:tvos), and visionOS (cpe:2.3:o:apple:visionos). Input validation vulnerabilities occur when applications fail to properly sanitize or validate data before processing, allowing attackers to trigger unintended program behavior. In this case, insufficient validation during file parsing leads to memory corruption that manifests as both confidentiality impacts (information disclosure through memory exposure) and availability impacts (application termination). The network attack vector (AV:N) suggests the vulnerability affects network-accessible services or applications that process remotely-supplied files, such as email attachments, web content, or file-sharing protocols.
Affected Products
Apple iOS versions prior to 18.6 (cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os), Apple iPadOS versions prior to 18.6 (cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados), Apple macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.6 (cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos), Apple tvOS versions prior to 18.6 (cpe:2.3:o:apple:tvos), and Apple visionOS versions prior to 2.6 (cpe:2.3:o:apple:visionos) are vulnerable. All major Apple operating system platforms released in their 2024-2025 generations contain the input validation flaw. Vendor advisories available at https://support.apple.com/en-us/124147 (iOS/iPadOS), https://support.apple.com/en-us/124149 (macOS), https://support.apple.com/en-us/124153 (tvOS), and https://support.apple.com/en-us/124154 (visionOS) provide platform-specific guidance.
Remediation
Vendor-released patches are available across all affected platforms and should be applied immediately. Upgrade to iOS 18.6 or iPadOS 18.6 for mobile devices, macOS Sequoia 15.6 for Mac computers, tvOS 18.6 for Apple TV devices, and visionOS 2.6 for Vision Pro headsets. Apply updates through standard Apple software update mechanisms (Settings > General > Software Update on iOS/iPadOS, System Settings > General > Software Update on macOS, or Settings > System > Software Updates on tvOS/visionOS). Enterprise administrators should deploy patches through Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems and validate deployment across managed fleets. Detailed security content documentation available at vendor advisories https://support.apple.com/en-us/124147, https://support.apple.com/en-us/124149, https://support.apple.com/en-us/124153, and https://support.apple.com/en-us/124154. No workarounds are provided; patching is the only definitive remediation.
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External POC / Exploit Code
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