CVE-2025-43443 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms that allows an attacker to cause an unexpected process crash by delivering maliciously crafted web content. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation or checks when processing certain web data, which leads to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition by crashing a process, likely the browser or a web rendering component. The flaw does not allow for privilege escalation, data leakage, or code execution, but it impacts system availability. The attack vector is remote network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as visiting a malicious website or opening crafted web content. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to iOS and iPadOS 18.7.2, where Apple implemented improved input validation and checks to mitigate the issue. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium), reflecting the limited impact on confidentiality and integrity but moderate impact on availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating limited current exploitation. However, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted denial-of-service attacks against mobile users, disrupting device usability and potentially impacting business operations relying on mobile platforms.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43443 is the potential for denial-of-service conditions on Apple iOS and iPadOS devices. This could disrupt mobile workflows, communications, and access to critical applications, especially in sectors heavily reliant on mobile technology such as finance, healthcare, and government. Although the vulnerability does not expose sensitive data or allow code execution, repeated or targeted crashes could degrade user productivity and cause operational interruptions. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those deploying iOS/iPadOS devices in critical roles may face increased risk. Additionally, public-facing web services or intranet portals could be abused to deliver malicious content triggering this vulnerability. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat of future attacks. The impact is thus moderate but should not be underestimated in environments with high mobile device dependency.

To mitigate CVE-2025-43443, European organizations should prioritize updating all Apple iOS and iPadOS devices to version 18.7.2 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. Network-level protections such as web content filtering and URL reputation services can help block access to malicious websites hosting crafted content. User education is critical to reduce the risk of interaction with suspicious links or web content. Organizations should also monitor device crash logs and unusual application behavior to detect potential exploitation attempts. For managed devices, enforcing mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app installations and web access can further reduce exposure. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and restricting access to sensitive internal resources from mobile devices can limit the impact of any denial-of-service conditions. Regular vulnerability scanning and threat intelligence updates will help maintain awareness of emerging exploits related to this vulnerability.