Skip to main content
VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2025-43221: Apple iOS and iPadOS · Out-of-bounds Read

Affects Apple iOS and iPadOSSource CVE Database V5

0

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.1 High · fixed in 18.6 : patch Apple iOS and iPadOS soon.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 09:15 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
7.1High
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
EPSS
0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 13% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
Patch
Available – fixed in 18.6
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 29 Jul 2025

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq 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

ProductAffectedFixed in
Apple iOS and iPadOSAffected
  • =0
Fixed in–

AI-suggested

1. Immediately update all affected Apple devices to iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, tvOS 18.6, and visionOS 2.6 or later to apply the official patches addressing this vulnerability. 2. Implement strict media file handling policies, including disabling automatic media file processing in email clients and messaging apps where possible. 3. Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious media files, emphasizing caution with files from unknown or untrusted sources. 4. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous app crashes or memory corruption behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Monitor logs and application behavior for signs of unexpected terminations or memory corruption events that could signal attempted exploitation. 6. For organizations, consider network-level controls to scan and filter media files entering the environment to reduce exposure to malicious content. 7. Maintain an inventory of Apple devices and ensure timely patch management processes are in place to rapidly deploy security updates.

Description

An out-of-bounds access issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. 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 media file may lead to unexpected app termination or corrupt process memory.

References

Community reviews

Loading reviews…