Apple watchOS iCloud Link Remote Code Execution

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Apple watchOS. This affects an unknown part of the component iCloud Link Handler. The manipulation leads to an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-43200. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. Moreover, an exploit is present. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple watchOS (affected version unknown). It has been rated as critical. This issue affects an unknown functionality of the component iCloud Link Handler. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in watchOS 11.3.1, macOS Ventura 13.7.4, iOS 15.8.4 and iPadOS 15.8.4, iOS 16.7.11 and iPadOS 16.7.11, iPadOS 17.7.5, visionOS 2.3.1, macOS Sequoia 15.3.1, iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.4. A logic issue existed when processing a maliciously crafted photo or video shared via an iCloud Link. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals.

The advisory is shared at support.apple.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-43200 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation is known to be difficult. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are unknown but an exploit is available.

It is declared as attacked. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 238308 (macOS 14.x < 14.7.4 (122901)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. The CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog lists this issue since 06/16/2025 with a due date of 07/07/2025:

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Zero-Day.cz (1013), Tenable (238308) and EUVD (EUVD-2025-18428). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Productinfo

Type

• Smartwatch Operating System

Vendor

• Apple

Name

• watchOS

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.apple.com/

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CPE 2.2info

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If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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