CVE-2025-46298 is a vulnerability identified in Apple tvOS and other Apple operating systems including Safari, watchOS, visionOS, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Tahoe, all addressed in version 26.2 releases. The vulnerability arises from improper memory handling when processing maliciously crafted web content, categorized under CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer). An attacker can exploit this flaw remotely over the network without requiring privileges or authentication, but user interaction is necessary to trigger the vulnerability, such as visiting a maliciously crafted webpage or web content. Successful exploitation results in an unexpected process crash, causing denial of service (DoS) on the affected device or application. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, meaning network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, unchanged scope, no confidentiality or integrity impact, but high impact on availability. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and the issue was reserved in April 2025 and published in January 2026. The fix involves improved memory handling implemented in the 26.2 updates across multiple Apple platforms, emphasizing the importance of updating to these versions to mitigate the risk. The vulnerability primarily affects Apple TV devices but also extends to other Apple OS platforms that handle web content, such as Safari and iOS devices, due to shared codebases or components.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-46298 is denial of service on Apple TV devices and other Apple platforms that process web content. This can disrupt business operations relying on these devices for presentations, digital signage, or communication. Although the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, repeated crashes could lead to operational downtime and user frustration. Organizations in sectors such as media, education, hospitality, and corporate environments that utilize Apple TV or related devices extensively may face service interruptions. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering could be vectors for triggering the crash, potentially affecting end-user productivity. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but unpatched devices remain vulnerable. Given the widespread use of Apple products in Europe, the vulnerability could have a broad impact if not addressed promptly.

To mitigate CVE-2025-46298, European organizations should prioritize updating all affected Apple devices to tvOS 26.2 and the corresponding 26.2 versions of Safari, watchOS, visionOS, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Tahoe. Network administrators should implement web content filtering to block access to untrusted or suspicious websites that could host maliciously crafted content. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting abnormal process crashes or unusual behavior on Apple devices. User awareness training should emphasize caution when interacting with unknown web content, especially on Apple TV and related platforms. For environments with critical Apple TV deployments, consider segmenting these devices on separate networks to limit exposure. Monitoring device logs for repeated crashes can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Since no exploits are currently known, proactive patching and restricting risky web content are the most effective defenses.