CVE-2025-43223 is a vulnerability identified in Apple iPadOS and several other Apple operating systems, including macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The issue stems from inadequate input validation that allows a non-privileged user—meaning no administrative rights or elevated privileges are required—to modify restricted network settings. This modification can lead to denial-of-service (DoS) conditions by disrupting network connectivity or altering network configurations in a way that impairs normal device operation. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity directly but severely affects availability, as network services can be interrupted. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 reflects a high severity due to the vulnerability’s network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and an impact limited to availability (A:H). The flaw is categorized under CWE-20, which relates to improper input validation. Apple has addressed this vulnerability by improving input validation in the affected OS versions, releasing patches in iPadOS 17.7.9, 18.6, macOS Ventura 13.7.7, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, and others. No public exploits or active attacks have been reported yet, but the vulnerability’s characteristics make it a significant risk if weaponized. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to the patched releases, so any unpatched Apple devices remain vulnerable.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43223 is the potential disruption of network connectivity on Apple devices, which could lead to denial-of-service conditions. This can affect business continuity, especially for organizations relying heavily on iPads, Macs, or other Apple devices for critical operations or network management. The ability for a non-privileged user to alter network settings without authentication or user interaction increases the risk of insider threats or malware exploiting this flaw to degrade network availability. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and telecommunications, which often use Apple products and require high network reliability, could experience operational disruptions. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face increased risk if employees’ devices are vulnerable and connected to corporate networks. The lack of confidentiality or integrity impact means data breaches are less likely, but service outages could still cause significant operational and reputational damage. The absence of known exploits provides a window for proactive patching and mitigation before widespread exploitation occurs.

European organizations should immediately verify the Apple device inventory to identify unpatched iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS systems. Applying the latest security updates released by Apple (iPadOS 17.7.9, 18.6; macOS Ventura 13.7.7, Sonoma 14.7.7; watchOS 11.6; tvOS 18.6; visionOS 2.6) is critical to close this vulnerability. Network administrators should implement strict access controls to limit the ability of non-privileged users to access network configuration interfaces. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce patch compliance and monitor for unauthorized network setting changes. Conduct regular audits of network configurations on Apple devices to detect anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of unauthorized software installations or suspicious activity that could exploit this vulnerability. For environments with sensitive network operations, consider segmenting Apple devices on separate VLANs or network zones to contain potential disruptions. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from any denial-of-service events caused by exploitation.