CVE-2025-31278
Published: 30 July 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-31278 is a high-severity Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer (CWE-119) vulnerability in Apple Ipados. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Drive-by Compromise (T1189); ranked at the 36.2th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-16 (Memory Protection) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Threat & Defense at a Glance
Threat & Defense Details
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI
Requires timely monitoring, reporting, and patching of flaws like CVE-2025-31278, directly enabling application of Apple's fixes in Safari 18.6 and associated OS updates.
Implements memory protection mechanisms that comprehensively mitigate memory corruption vulnerabilities such as improper handling in WebKit triggered by malicious web content.
Supports identification of unpatched systems vulnerable to CVE-2025-31278 through ongoing vulnerability scanning across affected Apple platforms.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Memory corruption in WebKit/Safari triggered by malicious web content enables drive-by compromise (T1189) and direct exploitation for client-side code execution (T1203).
NVD Description
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in Safari 18.6, iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6, iPadOS 17.7.9, macOS Sequoia 15.6, tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, watchOS 11.6. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to memory…
more
corruption.
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2025-31278 is a memory corruption vulnerability stemming from improper memory handling, classified under CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer). It affects Apple's Safari browser and associated operating systems, including versions prior to Safari 18.6, iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6 and 17.7.9, macOS Sequoia 15.6, tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, and watchOS 11.6. The flaw is triggered by processing maliciously crafted web content, likely within the WebKit rendering engine.
The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating high severity. Remote attackers require no privileges and can exploit it over the network with low complexity by tricking users into interacting with malicious web content, such as visiting a rigged webpage or loading harmful media. Successful exploitation may result in high-impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability violations, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution, data theft, or system compromise on the targeted device.
Apple's security advisories detail the fix through improved memory handling and urge immediate updates to the listed patched versions across affected platforms. Relevant support documents include https://support.apple.com/en-us/124147, https://support.apple.com/en-us/124148, https://support.apple.com/en-us/124149, https://support.apple.com/en-us/124152, and https://support.apple.com/en-us/124153, which provide release notes and update instructions for mitigation.
Details
- CWE(s)