CVE-2025-31235 is a vulnerability classified as a double free (CWE-415) in Apple’s macOS and iPadOS operating systems. A double free occurs when a program attempts to free the same memory location twice, leading to undefined behavior such as memory corruption, crashes, or potential exploitation. In this case, the vulnerability allows a local application with limited privileges (PR:L) to cause unexpected system termination, effectively a denial-of-service condition. The flaw does not require user interaction (UI:N) and can be triggered by an app running on the device. The vulnerability affects multiple recent versions of macOS (Ventura 13.7.6, Sequoia 15.5, Sonoma 14.7.6) and iPadOS 17.7.7. Apple has addressed the issue by improving memory management to prevent the double free condition. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H, meaning local attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, scope changed, no confidentiality or integrity impact, but high impact on availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited active exploitation currently. The vulnerability primarily threatens system availability by causing crashes or unexpected shutdowns, which can disrupt workflows and services on affected Apple devices.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-31235 is on system availability. A local app exploiting this vulnerability can cause unexpected system termination, leading to denial-of-service conditions on critical macOS or iPadOS devices. This can disrupt business operations, especially in environments relying heavily on Apple hardware for productivity, development, or creative work. While confidentiality and integrity are not directly affected, repeated crashes or system instability can result in data loss or operational delays. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or less controlled app installation environments may face higher risk of exploitation. The lack of user interaction requirement means that once a malicious app is installed, exploitation can occur silently. For sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies in Europe, where uptime and system reliability are critical, this vulnerability could pose significant operational risks if unpatched. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation as attackers analyze the vulnerability.

1. Apply the latest Apple security updates immediately: macOS Ventura 13.7.6, Sequoia 15.5, Sonoma 14.7.6, and iPadOS 17.7.7 contain the fix for this vulnerability. 2. Enforce strict application control policies to limit installation of untrusted or unsigned apps, reducing the risk of malicious apps exploiting the flaw. 3. Utilize Apple’s built-in security features such as Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection (SIP) to prevent unauthorized code execution. 4. Monitor system logs and crash reports for unusual termination patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Educate users about the risks of installing apps from unverified sources, especially on corporate devices. 6. For organizations with mobile device management (MDM), ensure devices are configured to receive and install updates promptly and restrict app installation sources. 7. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing on macOS environments to detect potential exploitation vectors. 8. Maintain robust backup and recovery procedures to mitigate impact from unexpected system terminations or data loss.