CVE-2025-43300 is a memory corruption vulnerability classified as an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) in Apple iOS and iPadOS. The flaw arises when the system processes a specially crafted malicious image file, causing memory corruption that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability requires user interaction, specifically opening or processing the malicious image, but does not require any prior privileges, making it exploitable remotely via vectors such as messaging or web content. Apple has addressed this issue by improving bounds checking in the affected image processing components, releasing patches in iOS 15.8.5, iPadOS 15.8.5, iOS 16.7.12, and iPadOS 16.7.12. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, indicating high severity, with attack vector network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no public exploits are currently confirmed, Apple acknowledges reports of exploitation in highly sophisticated targeted attacks against specific individuals, suggesting potential use in espionage or advanced persistent threat campaigns. The vulnerability affects all unspecified versions prior to the patched releases, impacting a wide range of Apple mobile devices running iOS and iPadOS. The root cause is insufficient bounds checking during image file processing, which allows an attacker to write outside allocated memory buffers, corrupting memory and enabling code execution. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous on mobile platforms due to the prevalence of image sharing and the difficulty of detecting malicious content. The exploitability combined with the high impact on device security makes this a critical issue for users and organizations relying on Apple mobile devices.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-43300 is significant due to the widespread use of Apple iOS and iPadOS devices in both corporate and governmental environments. Successful exploitation can lead to full compromise of affected devices, resulting in unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, interception of communications, and potential lateral movement within networks if devices are used as gateways. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data on compromised devices are at high risk. Targeted attacks leveraging this vulnerability could be used for espionage, intellectual property theft, or disruption of critical services. Given the sophistication reported in exploitation attempts, organizations involved in sensitive sectors such as finance, defense, technology, and government are particularly vulnerable. The requirement for user interaction means social engineering or phishing campaigns could be used to deliver the malicious image, increasing the risk of successful exploitation. Additionally, compromised devices could serve as entry points for broader attacks on organizational infrastructure. The impact extends to privacy concerns for individuals using these devices in professional contexts, potentially exposing personal and corporate information.

1. Immediate deployment of Apple’s security updates: Organizations must prioritize upgrading all iOS and iPadOS devices to versions 15.8.5, 16.7.12, or later to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Implement strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app permissions, restrict installation of untrusted applications, and limit the ability to open image files from unverified sources. 3. Educate users on the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected image files, especially from unknown senders, to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering. 4. Employ network-level protections such as email and web filtering to block or quarantine suspicious image files before they reach end users. 5. Monitor device behavior for signs of compromise, including unusual memory usage, crashes, or unexpected network connections, to detect potential exploitation attempts. 6. Restrict or disable automatic image preview features in messaging and email clients where possible to reduce inadvertent processing of malicious images. 7. Maintain an inventory of Apple devices and ensure compliance with patch management policies to avoid unpatched vulnerable endpoints. 8. Collaborate with threat intelligence providers to stay informed about emerging exploit techniques and indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability.