CVE-2025-43375 in Xcode
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2025
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in Xcode 26. Processing an overly large path value may crash a process.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-43375 represents a process crash issue that occurs when Xcode encounters excessively large path values during processing operations. This flaw falls under the category of input validation weaknesses where the software fails to properly handle malformed or excessively large input parameters. The vulnerability specifically affects the path handling mechanisms within Xcode's processing pipeline, where the system does not adequately validate the length or complexity of path values before attempting to process them. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in development environments where path manipulation is frequent and complex file structures are common. The issue demonstrates a classic lack of bounds checking and input sanitization that can lead to denial of service conditions. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and CWE-770, which covers allocation of resources without limits or throttling. The vulnerability exists in the fundamental path processing logic where the software assumes path values will remain within reasonable boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within Xcode's path handling routines. When processing files or directories with excessively long path names, the system attempts to allocate memory or perform operations that exceed system limits, resulting in process termination. This behavior typically manifests as a segmentation fault or memory access violation when the path length exceeds predetermined thresholds. The crash occurs during the parsing or validation phase of path processing, where the software does not implement proper error handling for oversized inputs. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered by malformed project files, corrupted build artifacts, or maliciously crafted inputs that exploit the lack of input validation. The issue represents a failure to implement robust input sanitization and resource allocation controls that are essential for maintaining system stability. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability could be exploited by adversaries to disrupt development workflows or potentially escalate to more serious security impacts if combined with other vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques, where an attacker could leverage the crash condition to disrupt legitimate development processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-43375 extends beyond simple process crashes to potentially disrupt entire development environments and project workflows. When a process crashes due to oversized path values, developers lose productivity and may experience data loss or corrupted project states. This vulnerability affects not only individual developers but also larger organizations that rely on consistent build processes and automated development pipelines. The instability introduced by this vulnerability can compound other issues within the development ecosystem, creating cascading failures that affect multiple projects simultaneously. Organizations using Xcode for continuous integration and deployment workflows may experience build failures, pipeline interruptions, and service degradation. The vulnerability also impacts automated testing environments where path manipulation is common and large file structures are frequently encountered. Security teams must consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks, particularly in environments where development tools are exposed to untrusted inputs or where process stability is critical. The remediation process requires careful consideration of how path validation is implemented across different components of the development toolchain, ensuring that all input paths are properly sanitized before processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-43375 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and resource management controls within Xcode's path processing logic. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version of Xcode that contains the patched implementation, as this addresses the root cause through improved checks and validation mechanisms. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect and alert on path processing anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts. The solution involves implementing proper bounds checking, memory allocation limits, and graceful error handling for oversized path values. Security controls should include input sanitization routines that truncate or reject excessively long path names before they can cause system instability. Organizations should also consider implementing automated code reviews and static analysis tools that can identify similar vulnerabilities in custom development workflows. Additional defensive measures include establishing secure coding practices for path handling, implementing rate limiting for path processing operations, and creating isolated environments for processing potentially malicious inputs. The fix should align with industry best practices for secure software development and incorporate lessons learned from similar vulnerabilities in other development tools. Regular security assessments should verify that path handling mechanisms properly enforce resource limits and prevent similar issues from reoccurring in future versions.