CVE-2025-43539: Apple iOS and iPadOS · Processing a file may lead to memory corruption
Affects Apple iOS and iPadOSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.8 High · fixed in 18.7.3 : patch Apple iOS and iPadOS soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 6.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 93% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 18.7.3
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 12 Dec 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iOS and iPadOS | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
- Immediate deployment of the official patches released by Apple for iOS 18.7.3, iPadOS 18.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, and other affected OS versions is critical.
- Implement strict email and file filtering to block or quarantine suspicious files that could exploit this vulnerability.
- Educate users about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks.
- Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous behaviors indicative of memory corruption exploits.
- Monitor network traffic for unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.
- Restrict unnecessary file processing capabilities in sensitive environments where possible.
- Maintain up-to-date backups to recover quickly in case of compromise.
- Coordinate with Apple support and security advisories to stay informed about any emerging exploit techniques or additional patches.
Description
The issue was addressed with improved bounds checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3, iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, macOS Tahoe 26.2, tvOS 26.2, visionOS 26.2, watchOS 26.2. Processing a file may lead to memory corruption.
References
- support.apple.com/en-us/125884 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/125885 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/125886 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/125887 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/125888 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/125889 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/125890 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/125891 (opens in a new tab)