CVE-2025-31206 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE • 05/13/2025
A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in watchOS 11.5, tvOS 18.5, iPadOS 17.7.7, iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, macOS Sequoia 15.5, visionOS 2.5, Safari 18.5. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected Safari crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-31206 represents a type confusion flaw that affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, macOS, and visionOS. This issue falls under the category of memory safety vulnerabilities where the system fails to properly validate data types during processing operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate state handling mechanisms that allow maliciously crafted web content to trigger unexpected behavior in Safari's rendering engine. Type confusion vulnerabilities occur when a program incorrectly handles data types, leading to situations where one data type is treated as another, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates how improper state management in Safari's web content processing pipeline creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted web pages. When Safari encounters maliciously crafted content, the type confusion allows an attacker to influence how the browser handles different data types, potentially leading to memory corruption or unexpected program behavior. This flaw specifically impacts the browser's ability to distinguish between different object types during rendering operations, creating a pathway for exploitation that could result in application crashes or more severe consequences.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-31206 extends beyond simple browser instability, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within the Apple ecosystem. While the immediate effect is described as an unexpected Safari crash, type confusion vulnerabilities often serve as stepping stones for more advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple platforms, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on Apple devices for their operations. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities in web browsers can be leveraged to deliver malware payloads or establish persistent access points within targeted environments.
Apple's remediation approach for this vulnerability involved implementing improved state handling mechanisms within Safari's processing pipeline, addressing the root cause of the type confusion issue. The affected versions include iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, macOS Sequoia 15.5, and various other platform releases, indicating that the fix was applied across the entire Apple ecosystem. Organizations should prioritize updating to the patched versions as soon as possible, as the vulnerability could be actively exploited in the wild. The fix aligns with industry best practices for memory safety improvements and follows established patterns for addressing type confusion vulnerabilities as outlined in common weakness enumeration standards. This vulnerability also demonstrates the ongoing need for robust input validation and type checking mechanisms in modern web browsers, particularly as they become more complex and feature-rich. The remediation efforts reflect the importance of maintaining secure coding practices and proper memory management to prevent such issues from occurring in the first place.