Apple Multiple Products Improper Locking
CVE-2025-43510 is a high-severity improper locking vulnerability in iOS and iPadOS 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 versions 18.7.2, 26.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating iOS and iPadOS to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on March 20, 2026, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update iOS and iPadOS to 18.7.2 or 26.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update macOS to 14.8.2 or 15.7.2 or 26.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update tvOS to 26.1 or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Read the advisory on support.apple.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- 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
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | iOS and iPadOS | before 18.7.2; before 26.1 | 18.7.2, 26.1 |
| Apple | macOS | before 14.8.2; before 15.7.2; before 26.1 | 14.8.2, 15.7.2, 26.1 |
| Apple | tvOS | before 26.1 | 26.1 |
| Apple | visionOS | before 26.1 | 26.1 |
| Apple | watchOS | before 26.1 | 26.1 |
| Apple | iPadOS | before 18.7.2; 26.0 | 18.7.2 |
| Apple | Iphone OS | before 18.7.2; 26.0 | 18.7.2 |
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 NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved lock state checking. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.2 and iPadOS 18.7.2, iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, visionOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1. A malicious application may cause unexpected changes in memory shared between processes.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Locking
The product does not properly acquire or release a lock on a resource, leading to unexpected resource state changes and behaviors.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use industry standard APIs to implement locking mechanism.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- support.apple.com/en-us/125632Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/125633Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/125634Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/125635Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/125636Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/125637Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/125638Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/125639Release Notes
Third-party and government advisories
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-43510US Government Resource
Other references
- cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/darksword-ios-exploit-chain/Technical Description
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 Locking vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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