CVE-2025-43532 is a memory corruption vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, as well as other Apple operating systems like watchOS, macOS, visionOS, and tvOS. The root cause is a lack of adequate bounds checking when processing certain data inputs, which can lead to memory corruption and subsequently cause unexpected application termination (crashes). This vulnerability is classified under CWE-120, which relates to classic buffer overflow or improper memory handling issues. Apple has addressed this flaw by improving bounds checking in the affected OS versions, including iOS 18.7.3, iPadOS 18.7.3, watchOS 26.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, and others. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 2.8, reflecting a low severity primarily due to the limited impact on confidentiality and integrity, and the requirement for local privileges and user interaction to exploit. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R). The vulnerability does not allow for code execution or data exfiltration but can cause denial of service by crashing apps. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of now. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple devices running the specified OS versions, making it relevant for users and organizations relying on Apple ecosystems.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43532 is on the availability and stability of applications running on affected Apple devices. Unexpected app termination can disrupt business workflows, especially in environments where iOS and iPadOS devices are used for critical operations, such as healthcare, finance, and government services. Although the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, repeated crashes could lead to productivity losses and potential operational delays. Organizations with mobile workforces heavily reliant on Apple devices may experience user frustration and increased support costs. The lack of remote exploitability and the need for user interaction reduce the risk of widespread automated attacks, but targeted attempts exploiting this flaw could still cause localized disruptions. Given the broad adoption of Apple devices in Europe, particularly in sectors emphasizing mobile and remote work, timely patching is essential to maintain service continuity.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Ensure all Apple devices are updated promptly to the patched OS versions (iOS 18.7.3, iPadOS 18.7.3, watchOS 26.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, etc.) to eliminate the vulnerability. 2) Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to monitor and control OS updates and application installations. 3) Educate users to avoid opening or processing untrusted or suspicious data files that could trigger the vulnerability. 4) Implement application whitelisting and sandboxing to limit the impact of any app crashes. 5) Monitor device logs for unusual app termination patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. 6) Prepare incident response plans to quickly address any service disruptions caused by app crashes. 7) Coordinate with Apple support channels for any emerging threat intelligence or patches related to this vulnerability. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on operational controls and user behavior specific to this vulnerability’s exploitation vector.