CVE-2025-43355 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2025
A type confusion issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in tvOS 26, macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Sequoia 15.7, iOS 18.7 and iPadOS 18.7, visionOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. An app may be able to cause a denial-of-service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-43355 represents a type confusion issue that affects multiple Apple operating systems including tvOS, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and watchOS. This flaw manifests through improper memory handling mechanisms that can lead to unpredictable behavior when the system attempts to process data of different types. The issue is classified under CWE-466 which specifically addresses the use of a pointer to a data structure in a way that assumes a specific type, leading to potential memory corruption and system instability. Type confusion vulnerabilities typically arise when the application fails to properly validate data types during runtime operations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layouts and execute malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and type validation within Apple's memory management subsystems. When applications process user-supplied data or interact with system resources, the improper handling of memory references can cause the system to interpret data as a different type than originally intended. This misinterpretation can result in memory corruption that manifests as system crashes or denial-of-service conditions. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects core operating system components that handle memory allocation and deallocation, making it a critical security concern for all affected platforms.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-43355 extends beyond simple denial-of-service scenarios, as it represents a potential pathway for more sophisticated attacks. While the immediate effect may appear as system instability or application crashes, the underlying memory handling issues create opportunities for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to bypass security mechanisms or gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability affects multiple device types and operating system versions, indicating a systemic issue within Apple's memory management frameworks that requires comprehensive patching across all affected platforms. The fix implemented in versions tvOS 26, macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Sequoia 15.7, iOS 18.7, iPadOS 18.7, visionOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, iOS 26, and iPadOS 26 addresses the root cause through enhanced memory validation and improved type checking mechanisms.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques related to privilege escalation and execution of malicious code. The vulnerability's potential for system instability makes it a target for attackers seeking to disrupt services or create persistent access points. Organizations should prioritize patch management to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates, as the memory handling improvements included in the patches address fundamental security flaws in Apple's operating system architecture. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust memory management practices and proper input validation in preventing type confusion attacks that could compromise entire system architectures.