iOS and iPadOS: Protection Mechanism Failure
CVE-2025-46290 is a high-severity protection mechanism failure 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 versions 18.7.3, 26.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating iOS and iPadOS to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.94% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 62% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update iOS and iPadOS to 18.7.3 or 26.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update macOS to 14.8.4 or 15.7.4 or 26.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update visionOS to 26.2 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 18.7.3; before 26.2 | 18.7.3, 26.2 |
| Apple | macOS | before 14.8.4; before 15.7.4; before 26.2 | 14.8.4, 15.7.4, 26.2 |
| Apple | visionOS | before 26.2 | 26.2 |
| Apple | watchOS | before 26.2 | 26.2 |
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
- 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
A logic issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3, iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4, macOS Tahoe 26.2, visionOS 26.2, watchOS 26.2. A remote attacker may be able to cause a denial-of-service.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Protection Mechanism Failure
The product does not use or incorrectly uses a protection mechanism that provides sufficient defense against directed attacks against the product.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- support.apple.com/en-us/126349Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/126350Release 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 Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
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