CVE-2025-43511 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 that affects Apple Safari and related operating systems including watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, macOS Tahoe, and visionOS. The flaw arises from improper memory management when processing certain crafted web content, leading to the potential for an unexpected process crash. This vulnerability does not allow for data disclosure or code execution but can cause denial of service by crashing the Safari process. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H) indicates that the attack can be performed remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges, but does require user interaction (e.g., visiting a malicious webpage). The vulnerability was addressed in Apple’s 26.2 updates across affected platforms, which improved memory management to prevent the use-after-free condition. No exploits have been observed in the wild, but the risk remains for users who do not apply patches. The vulnerability primarily impacts availability by causing browser crashes, which can disrupt user workflows and potentially impact business operations relying on Safari for web access. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in enterprise and consumer environments, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk that should be mitigated promptly.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43511 is availability disruption due to unexpected Safari process crashes. This can lead to denial of service conditions affecting end users, particularly in environments where Safari is the default or mandated browser. Industries relying on web-based applications accessed via Safari, such as finance, healthcare, and government services, may experience operational interruptions. Although the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, repeated crashes could degrade user productivity and trust in IT systems. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using Apple devices are at risk of encountering this issue during routine web browsing. Additionally, critical infrastructure sectors that utilize Apple platforms for monitoring or control interfaces may face increased risk of service disruption. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future weaponization. Therefore, European entities should consider this vulnerability a medium-severity availability risk requiring timely remediation.

1. Deploy the Apple security updates version 26.2 or later for Safari, watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, macOS Tahoe, and visionOS immediately to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Implement network-level filtering to restrict access to untrusted or suspicious web content, reducing exposure to maliciously crafted pages. 3. Educate users about the risk of interacting with unknown or suspicious websites, emphasizing cautious browsing behavior to minimize user interaction-based exploitation. 4. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting abnormal browser crashes or memory corruption attempts to provide early warning of exploitation attempts. 5. For managed environments, consider configuring Safari’s security settings to disable or limit JavaScript execution or other web features that could trigger the vulnerability until patches are applied. 6. Monitor logs and incident response systems for unusual browser crashes or denial of service symptoms that could indicate attempted exploitation. 7. Coordinate with Apple support channels for any additional guidance or hotfixes if immediate patching is not feasible. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on user behavior, network controls, and monitoring tailored to this specific use-after-free vulnerability.