CVE-2025-43511 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2025
A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in watchOS 26.2, Safari 26.2, iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2, macOS Tahoe 26.2, iOS 18.7.2 and iPadOS 18.7.2, visionOS 26.2. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2026
This vulnerability represents a classic use-after-free condition that was resolved through enhanced memory management practices in multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating potential opportunities for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The issue affects a broad range of Apple platforms including watchOS, Safari, iOS, iPadOS, macOS Tahoe, and visionOS, indicating a widespread memory management concern that required coordinated patching across the entire ecosystem. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing maliciously crafted web content, suggesting that web-based attack vectors are the primary concern for exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition that occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can lead to unpredictable behavior including crashes, data corruption, or potentially remote code execution. The fix implemented by Apple involves improved memory management protocols that prevent the reuse of freed memory blocks, thereby eliminating the conditions that would allow attackers to exploit this weakness through crafted web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple process crashes, as it represents a potential pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to affected systems. When processing malicious web content, the use-after-free condition could allow adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This risk is particularly elevated in web browsers where users frequently encounter untrusted content, making Safari and other web-based applications prime targets for exploitation. The vulnerability affects both mobile and desktop platforms, indicating that attackers could potentially leverage this weakness across multiple device types and operating environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate deployment of the patched versions across all affected platforms. Organizations should prioritize updating watchOS 26.2, Safari 26.2, iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, macOS Tahoe 26.2, iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, and visionOS 26.2 to ensure protection against potential exploitation. Additionally, security teams should implement network monitoring to detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability through malicious web content, as the attack surface includes web-based delivery mechanisms that could be used in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios. The implementation of web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can provide additional layers of protection while waiting for full system updates to be deployed across all endpoints.