CVE-2025-43529 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms that arises from improper memory management when processing web content. This flaw allows an attacker to craft malicious web content that, when processed by the vulnerable device, can trigger arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability affects versions prior to iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, with fixes implemented in iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and other Apple OS updates including watchOS, macOS Tahoe, visionOS, and tvOS. The issue was discovered following reports of its exploitation in highly sophisticated targeted attacks against specific individuals, indicating that threat actors have weaponized this vulnerability in the wild, although no widespread exploitation has been confirmed. The vulnerability likely involves a use-after-free condition in the web content processing engine, which can be exploited remotely without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious web page or opening malicious content. This type of vulnerability is critical because it can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to full device compromise. Apple responded by improving memory management to prevent the use-after-free condition. The lack of a CVSS score necessitates an assessment based on the impact and exploitation details, which suggest a critical severity due to the ability to execute arbitrary code remotely and the targeted nature of attacks. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple devices running iOS and iPadOS, which are widely used in enterprise and government sectors globally.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk as it enables remote arbitrary code execution on widely used Apple mobile devices without requiring user interaction beyond accessing malicious web content. This can lead to full device compromise, exposing sensitive corporate and personal data, enabling espionage, data theft, or disruption of operations. Organizations with employees using iPhones or iPads for work, especially in sectors such as government, finance, defense, and critical infrastructure, are at heightened risk. The targeted exploitation suggests that threat actors may be focusing on high-value individuals or entities, increasing the likelihood of espionage or sabotage campaigns within Europe. The vulnerability could also facilitate lateral movement within networks if compromised devices are connected to corporate resources. The broad adoption of Apple devices in Europe means the potential attack surface is large, and the sophisticated nature of the attacks indicates advanced persistent threat (APT) involvement, raising the stakes for affected organizations.

1. Immediately update all Apple devices to iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, or later versions where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to ensure timely OS updates and restrict installation of untrusted applications. 3. Limit access to potentially malicious web content by implementing secure web gateways and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious URLs or scripts. 4. Educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and opening unknown links, even though user interaction is minimal for exploitation. 5. Monitor network traffic for unusual connections or data exfiltration attempts originating from Apple devices. 6. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of identifying exploitation attempts or anomalous behavior on iOS and iPadOS devices. 7. Consider isolating high-risk users or devices with sensitive access to reduce exposure. 8. Coordinate with Apple support and security advisories for any additional mitigations or updates.