The issue was addressed with improved checks.
CVE-2025-31208 is a high-severity improper input validation vulnerability in iOS and iPadOS from Apple, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 18.5 as the first without the flaw, so updating iOS and iPadOS to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.38% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 72% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update iOS and iPadOS to 18.5 or a later version.
- Update iPadOS to 17.7.7 or a later version.
- Update macOS to 13.7.6 or 14.7.6 or 15.5, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on support.apple.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | iOS and iPadOS | before 18.5 | 18.5 |
| Apple | iPadOS | before 17.7.7 | 17.7.7 |
| Apple | macOS | before 13.7.6; before 14.7.6; before 15.5 | 13.7.6, 14.7.6, 15.5 |
| Apple | tvOS | before 18.5 | 18.5 |
| Apple | visionOS | before 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Apple | watchOS | before 11.5 | 11.5 |
| Apple | Iphone OS | before 18.5 | 18.5 |
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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, iPadOS 17.7.7, macOS Sequoia 15.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, macOS Ventura 13.7.6, tvOS 18.5, visionOS 2.5, watchOS 11.5. Parsing a file may lead to an unexpected app termination.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Input Validation
The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Consider using language-theoretic security (LangSec) techniques that characterize inputs using a formal language and build recognizers for that language. This effectively requires parsing to be a distinct layer that effectively enforces a boundary between raw input and internal data representations, instead of allowing parser code to be scattered throughout the program, where it could be subject to errors or inconsistencies that create weaknesses.
- Use an input validation framework such as Struts or the OWASP ESAPI Validation API. Note that using a framework does not automatically address all input validation problems; be mindful of weaknesses that could arise from misusing the framework itself (CWE-1173).
- Understand all the potential areas where untrusted inputs can enter the product, including but not limited to: parameters or arguments, cookies, anything read from the network, environment variables, reverse DNS lookups, query results, request headers, URL components, e-mail, files, filenames, databases, and any external systems that provide data to the application. Remember that such inputs may be obtained indirectly through API calls.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- support.apple.com/en-us/122404Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/122405Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/122716Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/122717Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/122718Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/122720Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/122721Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/122722Release Notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in iOS and iPadOS
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Input Validation vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 8.3 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.