CVE-2025-43272 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s Safari browser on iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and visionOS platforms. The root cause is improper memory handling (classified under CWE-119), which can be triggered by processing maliciously crafted web content. When exploited, this leads to an unexpected crash of the Safari browser, resulting in denial of service (DoS) for the user. The vulnerability requires no privileges (AV:N/PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), specifically the user visiting a maliciously crafted web page. The scope of impact is unchanged (S:U), and the vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity, only availability (A:H). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity level. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved memory handling and fixed in the latest versions of visionOS 26, Safari 26, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. This vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to disrupt user access to Safari, potentially impacting business operations relying on mobile web access. The lack of privilege requirements and the need for user interaction make exploitation feasible but limited to targeted or opportunistic attacks.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43272 is denial of service through unexpected Safari crashes on Apple mobile devices. This can disrupt employee productivity, especially in sectors where mobile web access is critical, such as finance, healthcare, and government services. While the vulnerability does not expose sensitive data or allow code execution, repeated crashes could lead to operational delays and increased support costs. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those heavily reliant on Apple ecosystems may face higher exposure. Additionally, attackers could use this vulnerability as part of multi-stage attacks to distract or disrupt users. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity score warrants timely mitigation to prevent potential exploitation. The impact on availability could also affect customer-facing services accessed via Safari on iOS/iPadOS devices, potentially harming reputation and trust.

1. Immediately update all Apple devices to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, visionOS 26, and Safari 26 or later versions where the vulnerability is fixed. 2. Implement mobile device management (MDM) policies to enforce timely OS and browser updates across organizational devices. 3. Educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted or suspicious websites, emphasizing caution with links received via email or messaging apps. 4. Employ network-level web filtering to block access to known malicious domains and URLs that could host crafted content exploiting this vulnerability. 5. Monitor device crash logs and user reports for unusual Safari crashes that could indicate attempted exploitation. 6. For critical environments, consider restricting Safari usage or deploying alternative browsers until patches are applied. 7. Coordinate with incident response teams to prepare for potential denial-of-service incidents targeting mobile users. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on organizational controls, user awareness, and proactive monitoring specific to this vulnerability.