CVE-2025-43265 is a vulnerability identified in Apple Safari and related operating systems, including watchOS, visionOS, iOS, iPadOS, macOS Sequoia, and tvOS. The issue stems from an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) caused by insufficient input validation when processing maliciously crafted web content. This flaw allows an attacker to read internal states of the Safari application, potentially exposing sensitive information that could be leveraged for further attacks or reconnaissance. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple through improved input validation in Safari 18.6 and corresponding OS updates released in mid-2025. According to the CVSS v3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N), exploitation requires local access to the device but does not require privileges or user interaction, indicating that an attacker must have some form of local presence or control to trigger the vulnerability. The impact is limited to confidentiality, with no effect on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting the vulnerability is not yet actively exploited. However, the potential for information disclosure remains a concern, especially in environments where sensitive data is handled via Safari. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to the patched releases, so organizations must verify their device versions to ensure they are not vulnerable.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43265 is the potential disclosure of sensitive internal application states within Safari, which could lead to information leakage. This may facilitate further targeted attacks, such as privilege escalation or exploitation of other vulnerabilities, especially in environments where Safari is used to access sensitive web applications or internal resources. The requirement for local access reduces the risk of remote exploitation but raises concerns in scenarios involving insider threats, compromised endpoints, or shared workstations. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that rely heavily on Apple devices and Safari for web access could face increased risk. Additionally, the vulnerability could impact privacy compliance if sensitive data is exposed. Although the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach potential necessitates timely remediation to prevent escalation or lateral movement within networks.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation measures: 1) Immediately update all Apple devices to Safari 18.6 or later and ensure all related OS versions (watchOS 11.6, visionOS 2.6, iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, tvOS 18.6) are patched. 2) Conduct an inventory of all Apple devices in the environment to identify those running vulnerable versions. 3) Restrict local access to Apple devices, enforcing strict physical security and endpoint access controls to prevent unauthorized users from exploiting the vulnerability. 4) Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual activity that could indicate attempts to exploit this or related vulnerabilities. 5) Educate users about the risks of local device compromise and enforce policies to minimize the use of shared or publicly accessible Apple devices. 6) Integrate vulnerability scanning tools that can detect outdated Safari versions and automate patch management. 7) For high-risk environments, consider additional endpoint protection solutions that can detect anomalous memory reads or application behavior indicative of exploitation attempts.