CVE-2025-43220: Apple iPadOS · Link Following
Affects Apple iPadOSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 17.7.9 : patch Apple iPadOS as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.8% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 57% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 17.7.9
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 29 Jul 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPadOS | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
To mitigate CVE-2025-43220, organizations and users should immediately apply the security updates released by Apple: iPadOS 17.7.9, macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, and macOS Ventura 13.7.7. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application vetting policies to limit installation of untrusted or unnecessary apps, reducing the attack surface. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual file system activities, especially related to symlink creation and access patterns. Regularly audit file permissions and access controls to detect anomalies. Network segmentation can help contain potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, educating users about the risks of installing unverified applications and enforcing least privilege principles on devices can further reduce exposure. Continuous monitoring for unusual data access patterns on Apple devices is recommended until patches are fully deployed.
Description
This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in iPadOS 17.7.9, macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.7. An app may be able to access protected user data.
References
- support.apple.com/en-us/124148 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/124149 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/124150 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/124151 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/34 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/33 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/32 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/31 (opens in a new tab)