CVE-2025-31281 is an input validation vulnerability identified in Apple’s macOS and other Apple operating systems including visionOS, tvOS, iOS, and iPadOS. The root cause is improper memory handling when processing specially crafted files, which can lead to unexpected application termination, effectively a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation), indicating that the affected software does not correctly validate or sanitize input data before processing. This flaw allows an attacker to craft malicious files that, when opened or processed by vulnerable Apple applications, cause the application to crash without requiring any user interaction or privileges. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1 reflects the critical severity, with metrics indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high impact on confidentiality (C:H), no impact on integrity (I:N), and high impact on availability (A:H). The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms, specifically fixed in visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, iOS 18.6, and iPadOS 18.6. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, the potential for remote exploitation without authentication or user interaction makes this a significant threat. The lack of patch links in the provided data suggests that organizations should verify update availability directly from Apple’s official security advisories. The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers delivering malicious files via email, web downloads, or network shares to disrupt critical applications or services running on Apple devices.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-31281 can be substantial. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to cause denial of service by crashing applications processing malicious files, potentially disrupting business operations relying on Apple devices. Confidentiality impact is rated high, indicating possible exposure of sensitive data during the crash or memory handling errors, which could be leveraged in further attacks. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and telecommunications that use Apple hardware and software extensively may face operational downtime and data exposure risks. The ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the threat level, making automated or mass exploitation feasible. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or remote workforces using Apple devices are at increased risk. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive patching and mitigation before active attacks emerge. Failure to address this vulnerability promptly could lead to widespread service interruptions and potential compliance issues under European data protection regulations.

European organizations should immediately verify the deployment of Apple operating system versions and prioritize updating to the fixed versions: visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, iOS 18.6, and iPadOS 18.6. Since no patch links were provided, administrators must consult Apple’s official security update channels to obtain and deploy the patches. Implement network-level controls to restrict or monitor the receipt of untrusted files, especially from external sources such as email attachments, web downloads, and network shares. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous application crashes or suspicious file processing behavior on Apple devices. Educate users about the risks of opening files from unknown or untrusted sources, even though no user interaction is required for exploitation, as some attack vectors may still involve user actions. Conduct regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on Apple environments to identify unpatched systems. For critical infrastructure, consider network segmentation to isolate Apple devices and limit exposure. Maintain robust incident response plans to quickly address any exploitation attempts or service disruptions related to this vulnerability.