CVE-2025-43282 is a memory corruption vulnerability classified as a double free issue affecting Apple’s iPadOS and several other Apple operating systems including macOS, iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. A double free occurs when a program attempts to free the same memory location twice, leading to undefined behavior such as memory corruption, crashes, or potential code execution. In this case, the vulnerability allows a maliciously crafted app to cause unexpected system termination, effectively a denial of service (DoS) condition. The root cause is improper memory management in the affected OS components, which Apple has remediated by improving memory handling in the updated OS versions: macOS Sequoia 15.6, iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, watchOS 11.6, tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, macOS Ventura 13.7.7, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, and iPadOS 17.7.9. The vulnerability was reserved in April 2025 and publicly disclosed in October 2025. No CVSS score has been assigned, and there are no known exploits in the wild. Exploitation requires an app to be installed and run on the device, but does not require additional user interaction beyond app execution. The vulnerability primarily impacts system availability by causing crashes or reboots, with no evidence of confidentiality or integrity compromise. The broad range of affected Apple platforms means that many device types are vulnerable if unpatched. The fix involves updating to the specified OS versions where memory management improvements prevent the double free condition.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43282 is operational disruption due to unexpected system termination on Apple devices. Organizations that rely heavily on iPads, Macs, or other Apple devices for critical business functions, communication, or customer-facing applications could experience denial of service conditions leading to productivity loss. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and education, which often use Apple hardware for mobility and security, may face increased risk of downtime. While the vulnerability does not appear to allow data theft or system compromise beyond crashing, repeated or targeted exploitation could degrade trust in device reliability and impact user experience. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face challenges if unpatched personal devices introduce instability. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the widespread use of Apple devices in Europe means that unpatched systems remain vulnerable to potential future attacks. The impact is thus primarily on availability and operational continuity rather than confidentiality or integrity.

European organizations should prioritize deploying the Apple security updates that address CVE-2025-43282 across all affected devices, including iPads, Macs, iPhones, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and visionOS devices. Specifically, update to iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, iOS 18.6, watchOS 11.6, tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, and the other specified patched versions. Implement strict app vetting policies to prevent installation of untrusted or potentially malicious apps that could exploit this vulnerability. Utilize Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce update compliance and restrict app installation sources to trusted app stores. Monitor device stability and logs for signs of unexpected crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. Educate users on the importance of installing updates promptly and avoiding sideloading apps from unverified sources. For critical environments, consider network segmentation and limiting device access to sensitive systems until patches are applied. Regularly review and update incident response plans to address potential denial of service scenarios caused by device crashes.