Apple disclosed a critical **zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-43300)** in its **Image I/O framework**, affecting iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The flaw, an **out-of-bounds write**, allows attackers to corrupt memory by exploiting maliciously crafted images, potentially executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges. While initially exploited in **highly targeted attacks against high-value individuals**, the risk escalates as threat actors typically repurpose such vulnerabilities for **mass exploitation** once patched. The flaw poses a severe risk of **unauthorized system access, data theft, or device compromise** if left unpatched. Apple released emergency updates (**iOS 18.6.2, iPadOS 18.6.2, macOS patches**) to mitigate the issue, urging all users to install them immediately. The vulnerability’s nature—enabling **memory manipulation and code execution**—makes it a prime tool for cybercriminals to escalate attacks, from espionage to large-scale malware campaigns.
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/apple
"id": "app456082225",
"linkid": "apple",
"type": "Vulnerability",
"date": "6/2025",
"severity": "85",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': 'All users of iPhones, iPads, '
'and Macs running unpatched '
'versions of iOS, iPadOS, or '
'macOS',
'industry': 'Technology (Consumer Electronics, '
'Software)',
'location': 'Global',
'name': 'Apple Inc.',
'size': 'Large (Multinational)',
'type': 'Corporation'}],
'attack_vector': ['Malicious image file', 'Memory manipulation'],
'customer_advisories': ['Urgent update notifications pushed to users via '
'Software Update mechanisms',
'Guidance provided on Apple’s support pages and '
'through in-device prompts'],
'description': 'Apple has released security updates for iPhones, iPads, and '
'Macs to fix a zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-43300) in the '
'Image I/O framework, which is reportedly being exploited in '
'targeted attacks. The flaw is an out-of-bounds write '
'vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate device '
'memory, potentially executing arbitrary code with elevated '
'privileges. The vulnerability was initially used in highly '
'sophisticated operations against high-value targets but risks '
'broader exploitation as the patch becomes public. Users are '
'urged to update to iOS 18.6.2, iPadOS 18.6.2 (or 17.7.10 for '
'older models), and the latest macOS versions to mitigate the '
'risk.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': ['Potential erosion of trust if '
'exploitation becomes widespread'],
'downtime': ['Potential system crashes due to memory corruption',
'Reboots required for patch installation'],
'operational_impact': ['Risk of arbitrary code execution with '
'elevated privileges',
'Potential for broader exploitation '
'post-disclosure'],
'systems_affected': ['iPhones', 'iPads', 'Macs']},
'initial_access_broker': {'entry_point': ['Malicious image files processed by '
'vulnerable Image I/O framework'],
'high_value_targets': ['Reportedly used in targeted '
'attacks against high-value '
'individuals initially']},
'investigation_status': 'Ongoing (Apple has acknowledged active exploitation '
'but has not disclosed full details)',
'lessons_learned': ['Zero-day vulnerabilities in widely used frameworks '
'(e.g., Image I/O) can have cascading risks beyond '
'initial targeted attacks.',
'Prompt patching is critical to prevent opportunistic '
'mass exploitation post-disclosure.',
'User education on enabling automatic updates can reduce '
'exposure windows.'],
'motivation': ['Targeted attacks against high-value individuals',
'Potential mass exploitation post-patch'],
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': ['Apple implemented improved '
'bounds checking in the '
'Image I/O framework.',
'Released security updates '
'across all affected '
'platforms (iOS, iPadOS, '
'macOS).',
'Public communication to '
'drive user patching.'],
'root_causes': ['Out-of-bounds write vulnerability '
'in the Image I/O framework due to '
'insufficient bounds checking.',
'Memory corruption enabling '
'arbitrary code execution with '
'elevated privileges.']},
'recommendations': ['Users should immediately update to iOS 18.6.2, iPadOS '
'18.6.2 (or 17.7.10 for older devices), and the latest '
'macOS version.',
'Enable Automatic Updates to ensure timely patch '
'application.',
'Exercise caution when opening image files from untrusted '
'sources, as malicious images could exploit unpatched '
'vulnerabilities.',
'Organizations should prioritize patch management for '
'Apple devices in their fleets.',
'Consider deploying mobile security solutions (e.g., '
'Malwarebytes) to mitigate post-exploitation risks.'],
'references': [{'source': 'Apple Security Updates'},
{'source': 'Malwarebytes Blog (Cybersecurity Advisory)'}],
'response': {'communication_strategy': ['Public advisory urging immediate '
'updates',
'Technical details shared about the '
'vulnerability (CVE-2025-43300)'],
'containment_measures': ['Release of security updates (iOS '
'18.6.2, iPadOS 18.6.2, 17.7.10, and '
'macOS patches)',
'Encouraging users to enable Automatic '
'Updates'],
'incident_response_plan_activated': True,
'recovery_measures': ['User-guided software updates',
'System reboots to apply patches'],
'remediation_measures': ['Patching the out-of-bounds write '
'vulnerability in the Image I/O '
'framework',
'Improved bounds checking']},
'stakeholder_advisories': ['Public advisory released by Apple',
'Third-party cybersecurity recommendations (e.g., '
'Malwarebytes)'],
'title': 'Apple Zero-Day Vulnerability (CVE-2025-43300) in Image I/O '
'Framework',
'type': ['Zero-day vulnerability', 'Memory corruption', 'Out-of-bounds write'],
'vulnerability_exploited': 'CVE-2025-43300 (Image I/O framework - '
'out-of-bounds write)'}