CVE-2025-43224 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s macOS and other Apple operating systems such as visionOS, tvOS, iOS, and iPadOS. The root cause is an out-of-bounds memory access (CWE-787) triggered when the system processes a maliciously crafted media file. This improper bounds checking can cause unexpected termination of applications or corruption of process memory, potentially leading to denial of service or memory corruption scenarios. The vulnerability requires an attacker to convince a user to open or process a specially crafted media file, meaning user interaction is necessary. No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, but the attack vector is local (AV:L), indicating that remote exploitation without user action is not feasible. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.1 (high severity), reflecting high impact on confidentiality (C:H) and availability (A:H), but no impact on integrity. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms, including macOS Sequoia 15.6, visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, iOS 18.6, and iPadOS 18.6. Apple has fixed the issue by improving bounds checking in these versions. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, but the potential for disruption or memory corruption attacks remains significant. Organizations relying on Apple devices should apply the patches promptly to mitigate risk.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the availability and confidentiality of systems running affected Apple operating systems. Unexpected app termination can disrupt business operations, especially in environments where Apple devices are integral to workflows, such as creative industries, education, and corporate environments with macOS or iOS devices. Memory corruption could potentially be leveraged for further exploitation, though no integrity impact is currently noted. The requirement for user interaction limits large-scale automated exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks, such as spear-phishing campaigns delivering malicious media files. Critical infrastructure or organizations with high reliance on Apple ecosystems may experience operational disruptions or data exposure if exploited. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but patching remains essential to prevent future attacks.

European organizations should prioritize updating all Apple devices to the fixed versions: macOS Sequoia 15.6, visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, iOS 18.6, and iPadOS 18.6. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict controls on media file sources, including filtering and scanning incoming media files for malicious content. User awareness training should emphasize the risk of opening unsolicited or suspicious media files, especially from untrusted sources. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be configured to monitor for abnormal application crashes or memory corruption indicators. Network segmentation can limit the spread or impact of compromised devices. Additionally, organizations should maintain regular backups to recover from potential denial of service or corruption incidents. Monitoring Apple security advisories for updates or emerging exploit reports is recommended to stay ahead of evolving threats.