CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-31184NVD status: Modified

Safari: Improper Preservation of Permissions

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-31184 is a high-severity improper preservation of permissions vulnerability in Safari from Apple, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 18.4 as the first without the flaw, so updating Safari to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.26% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Safari to 18.4 or a later version.
  2. Update iOS and iPadOS to 18.4 or a later version.
  3. Update macOS to 15.4 or a later version.
  4. Read the advisory on support.apple.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  5. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
AppleSafaribefore 18.418.4
AppleiOS and iPadOSbefore 18.418.4
ApplemacOSbefore 15.415.4
ApplevisionOSbefore 2.42.4
AppleIphone OSbefore 18.418.4
AppleiPadOSbefore 18.418.4

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).

Official description

This issue was addressed with improved permissions checking. This issue is fixed in Safari 18.4, iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, visionOS 2.4. An app may gain unauthorized access to Local Network.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Preservation of Permissions

The product does not preserve permissions or incorrectly preserves permissions when copying, restoring, or sharing objects, which can cause them to have less restrictive permissions than intended.

More Improper Preservation of Permissions vulnerabilities (CWE-281)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Safari

All Safari vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Preservation of Permissions vulnerabilities

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