Apple visionOS/watchOS/macOS/iOS/iPadOS up to 26.0 Setting access control

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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4.1$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Apple visionOS, watchOS, macOS, iOS and iPadOS up to 26.0. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Setting Handler. Performing a manipulation results in access control. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-43496. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple visionOS, watchOS, macOS, iOS and iPadOS up to 26.0. It has been classified as problematic. This affects some unknown processing of the component Setting Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a access control vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-284. The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality. The summary by CVE is:

The issue was addressed by adding additional logic. This issue is fixed in watchOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, iOS 18.7.2 and iPadOS 18.7.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, visionOS 26.1. Remote content may be loaded even when the 'Load Remote Images' setting is turned off.

It is possible to read the advisory at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-43496 since 04/16/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 12/18/2025). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

Upgrading to version 26.1 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2475). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Apple macOS

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.1

VulDB Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Access control
CWE: CWE-284 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: visionOS/watchOS/macOS/iOS/iPadOS 26.1

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
11/04/2025 +202 days Advisory disclosed
11/04/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/18/2025 +44 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: support.apple.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-43496 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-43496
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-331071
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2475 - Apple macOS: Mehrere Schwachstellen

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20180712

Entryinfo

Created: 11/04/2025 08:01
Updated: 12/18/2025 08:02
Changes: 11/04/2025 08:01 (57), 11/15/2025 13:13 (7), 12/18/2025 08:02 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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