CVE-2025-46304 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS, iPadOS, and related operating systems, caused by improper bounds checking when processing input from Human Interface Devices (HIDs). This flaw allows a malicious HID device to trigger an unexpected process crash, resulting in a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-400, which relates to uncontrolled resource consumption or exhaustion. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.7, indicating medium severity, with the vector AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. This means the attack requires adjacent network access (e.g., Bluetooth or USB), low attack complexity, no privileges, and user interaction, with impact limited to availability (process crash) but no confidentiality or integrity loss. The issue affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS (Sequoia, Sonoma, Tahoe), tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS, and was resolved by improved bounds checks in versions released in early 2026. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to disrupt device functionality by connecting malicious HID peripherals. The vulnerability’s exploitation vector involves physical or proximate access to the device’s HID interfaces, such as USB or Bluetooth, making it relevant in environments where devices are exposed to untrusted peripherals.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-46304 is denial of service through unexpected process crashes triggered by malicious HID devices. This can disrupt user productivity and potentially cause system instability or crashes, affecting availability. Since the vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity, data theft or manipulation is not a direct concern. However, repeated or targeted exploitation could degrade device reliability, impacting critical operations especially in enterprise, healthcare, or industrial environments relying on Apple devices. The requirement for user interaction and adjacent access limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in scenarios where attackers can physically connect malicious peripherals or trick users into connecting compromised devices. Organizations with large deployments of Apple devices, especially those with shared or public access environments, may face increased risk of disruption. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat but does not preclude future exploitation attempts.

To mitigate CVE-2025-46304, organizations should promptly apply the security updates released by Apple for iOS 18.7.5, iPadOS 18.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, and other affected platforms. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to USB and other HID interfaces. This includes disabling unused ports, using USB port locks, and restricting device pairing policies for Bluetooth peripherals. Employ endpoint security solutions capable of monitoring and blocking suspicious HID device connections. Educate users about the risks of connecting unknown or untrusted peripherals and enforce policies that prohibit the use of unauthorized devices. In high-security environments, consider using device management tools to whitelist approved peripherals and audit HID device usage. Regularly review logs for unusual device connection events. These measures reduce the attack surface and help prevent exploitation even if patches are delayed or devices remain unpatched.