Full Report
Apple security advisory (AV25-464) – Update 1
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Critical Out-of-Bounds Memory Flaw in Multiple Apple Operating Systems
## CVE Details
- **CVE ID:** CVE-2025-31277
- **CVSS Score:** N/A (Apple traditionally does not provide CVSS scores; however, the impact is classified as Critical due to active exploitation)
- **CWE:** CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) or CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) - *Commonly associated with these product components.*
## Affected Systems
- **Products:** iOS, iPadOS, macOS (Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura), tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.
- **Versions:**
- iOS and iPadOS: Versions prior to 18.6
- iPadOS: Versions prior to 17.7.9
- macOS Sequoia: Versions prior to 15.6
- macOS Sonoma: Versions prior to 14.7.7
- macOS Ventura: Versions prior to 13.7.7
- tvOS: Versions prior to 18.6
- visionOS: Versions prior to 2.6
- watchOS: Versions prior to 11.6
- **Configurations:** Default installations of the operating systems listed above.
## Vulnerability Description
While specific technical specifics are often restricted by Apple until patches are widely adopted, CVE-2025-31277 relates to a memory safety issue. The flaw typically allows an attacker to process maliciously crafted content (often via WebKit or Kernel components) to execute arbitrary code or gain elevated privileges on the target device. The inclusion in the CISA KEV catalog indicates the flaw is reliable enough for functional exploitation.
## Exploitation
- **Status:** **Exploited in the wild** (Added to CISA KEV Database on March 20, 2026).
- **Complexity:** Low to Medium.
- **Attack Vector:** Typically Network/Remote (often via web content or media processing).
## Impact
- **Confidentiality:** High (Potential data exfiltration)
- **Integrity:** High (Arbitrary code execution)
- **Availability:** High (System instability or crashes)
## Remediation
### Patches
Apple has released the following security updates to address this vulnerability:
- **iOS/iPadOS 18.6**
- **iPadOS 17.7.9**
- **macOS Sequoia 15.6**
- **macOS Sonoma 14.7.7**
- **macOS Ventura 13.7.7**
- **tvOS 18.6**
- **visionOS 2.6**
- **watchOS 11.6**
### Workarounds
There are no official workarounds that provide full protection. Immediate patching is the only recommended mitigation strategy given the active exploitation status.
## Detection
- **Indicators of Compromise:** Unusual system crashes, unauthorized configuration changes, or unexpected outbound network traffic to unknown IPs.
- **Detection methods and tools:**
- Monitor for mobile device management (MDM) alerts regarding OS version compliance.
- Use CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog to track and prioritize patching across the enterprise.
## References
- Apple Security Updates: hxxps[://]support[.]apple[.]com/en-us/100100
- CISA KEV Catalog: hxxps[://]www[.]cisa[.]gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2025-31277
- Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Advisory: hxxps[://]www[.]cyber[.]gc[.]ca/en/alerts-advisories/apple-security-advisory-av25-464