CVE-2025-31281
Published: 30 July 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-31281 is a critical-severity Improper Input Validation (CWE-20) vulnerability in Apple Ipados. Its CVSS base score is 9.1 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203); ranked in the top 32.0% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-16 (Memory Protection).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2025-31281 is an input validation vulnerability (CWE-20) addressed through improved memory handling in multiple Apple operating systems. It affects iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 18.6, macOS Sequoia prior to 15.6, tvOS prior to 18.6, and visionOS prior to 2.6. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H), indicating critical severity due to network accessibility, low complexity, and no requirements for privileges or user interaction.
A remote, unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability by inducing a target device to process a specially crafted file over the network. Successful exploitation grants high-impact confidentiality (arbitrary data disclosure) and availability effects (app termination or denial of service), while integrity remains unaffected.
Apple security advisories detail the fix in the specified versions and recommend updating affected devices immediately. Relevant support pages include https://support.apple.com/en-us/124147, https://support.apple.com/en-us/124149, https://support.apple.com/en-us/124153, https://support.apple.com/en-us/124154, and http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/30.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-23128
Vulnerability details
An input validation issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, tvOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Input validation flaw in client-side file processing enables remote exploitation for code execution or app termination (DoS) with info disclosure over the network, directly mapping to client exploitation and endpoint DoS via application exploitation.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly addresses the input validation vulnerability (CWE-20) by requiring validation of all inputs to prevent processing of maliciously crafted files.
Mitigates the memory handling flaw exploited for data disclosure and app termination by implementing safeguards against unauthorized memory access or corruption.
Ensures timely remediation through patching to the fixed versions (e.g., iOS 18.6) that resolve this specific vulnerability.