CVE-2025-43496: Remote content may be loaded even when the 'Load Remote Images' setting is turned off in Apple iOS and iPadOS
CVE-2025-43496 is a vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS where remote content may be loaded even when the 'Load Remote Images' setting is disabled. This issue could allow remote content to be fetched without user consent, potentially leading to privacy or security concerns. The vulnerability is fixed in iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1, and iPadOS 26.1. The CVSS score is 7.5, indicating a high severity level.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CVE-2025-43496) affects Apple iOS and iPadOS devices by allowing remote content to be loaded despite the user disabling the 'Load Remote Images' setting. The issue was addressed by Apple through additional logic added in updates iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1, and iPadOS 26.1. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N, indicating that it can be exploited remotely without privileges or user interaction and impacts integrity but not confidentiality or availability. There are no known exploits in the wild. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-359 (Exposure of Private Information Through Environmental Variables).
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows remote content to be loaded even when the user has disabled this feature, potentially exposing the user to unwanted content or tracking. The CVSS vector indicates that the integrity of the system or data could be impacted, but confidentiality and availability are not affected. No known active exploitation has been reported.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official fixes for this vulnerability in iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1, and iPadOS 26.1. Users and administrators should update affected devices to these versions or later to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
CVE-2025-43496: Remote content may be loaded even when the 'Load Remote Images' setting is turned off in Apple iOS and iPadOS
Description
CVE-2025-43496 is a vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS where remote content may be loaded even when the 'Load Remote Images' setting is disabled. This issue could allow remote content to be fetched without user consent, potentially leading to privacy or security concerns. The vulnerability is fixed in iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1, and iPadOS 26.1. The CVSS score is 7.5, indicating a high severity level.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CVE-2025-43496) affects Apple iOS and iPadOS devices by allowing remote content to be loaded despite the user disabling the 'Load Remote Images' setting. The issue was addressed by Apple through additional logic added in updates iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1, and iPadOS 26.1. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N, indicating that it can be exploited remotely without privileges or user interaction and impacts integrity but not confidentiality or availability. There are no known exploits in the wild. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-359 (Exposure of Private Information Through Environmental Variables).
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows remote content to be loaded even when the user has disabled this feature, potentially exposing the user to unwanted content or tracking. The CVSS vector indicates that the integrity of the system or data could be impacted, but confidentiality and availability are not affected. No known active exploitation has been reported.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official fixes for this vulnerability in iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1, and iPadOS 26.1. Users and administrators should update affected devices to these versions or later to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apple
- Date Reserved
- 2025-04-16T15:27:21.191Z
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69095bb378d4f574c2a8f4b5
Added to database: 11/04/2025, 01:49:39 UTC
Last enriched: 08/12/2026, 15:41:49 UTC
Last updated: 09/10/2026, 19:36:50 UTC
Views: 295
Community Reviews
0 reviewsCrowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.
Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.
Actions
Updates to AI analysis require Pro Console access. Upgrade inside Console → Billing.
Need more coverage?
Upgrade to Pro Console for AI refresh and higher limits.
For incident response and remediation, OffSeq services can help resolve threats faster.
Latest Threats
Check if your credentials are on the dark web
Instant breach scanning across billions of leaked records. Free tier available.