CVE-2025-43501 is a buffer overflow vulnerability classified under CWE-120 that affects Apple’s iOS, iPadOS, Safari browser, macOS Tahoe, and visionOS platforms. The flaw stems from improper memory management when processing specially crafted web content, which can lead to an unexpected process crash. This vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network (AV:N) without requiring any privileges (PR:N), but it does require user interaction (UI:R), such as visiting a malicious website. The scope of impact is unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the targeted process and does not extend beyond it. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3, indicating medium severity primarily due to its impact on availability (A:L) without affecting confidentiality or integrity. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved memory handling in Safari 26.2, iOS 18.7.3, iPadOS 18.7.3, macOS Tahoe 26.2, and visionOS 26.2. No public exploits have been reported, suggesting limited active exploitation. However, the vulnerability could be leveraged to cause denial-of-service conditions by crashing browser or system processes, potentially disrupting user activities or automated workflows on Apple devices.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43501 is the potential for denial-of-service (DoS) conditions on Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs running affected OS versions. This could disrupt business operations, especially in environments relying heavily on Apple hardware for communication, web access, or critical applications. While the vulnerability does not allow data theft or system compromise, repeated or targeted exploitation could degrade user productivity or interrupt services. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies that use Apple devices extensively may experience operational interruptions. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies might face increased risk if unpatched personal devices connect to corporate networks. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for timely patching to prevent future attacks.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Prioritize deployment of Apple’s security updates—Safari 26.2, iOS/iPadOS 18.7.3, macOS Tahoe 26.2, and visionOS 26.2—across all managed Apple devices. 2) Enforce policies requiring users to update their devices promptly, including BYOD endpoints, through user education and compliance monitoring. 3) Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to automate patch management and verify update status. 4) Restrict access to untrusted or unknown websites via network-level web filtering to reduce exposure to malicious web content. 5) Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual crash patterns or repeated process failures that may indicate exploitation attempts. 6) Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting abnormal process terminations on Apple platforms. 7) Educate users about the risks of interacting with suspicious links or websites to minimize user interaction-based exploitation. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on patch management, user behavior, and network controls specific to Apple environments.