CVE-2025-31251: 
macOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-31251 is a security vulnerability discovered in Apple's media processing components that affects multiple Apple operating systems. The vulnerability was disclosed on May 12, 2025, and impacts watchOS 11.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, tvOS 18.5, iPadOS 17.7.7, iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, macOS Sequoia 15.5, visionOS 2.5, and macOS Ventura 13.7.6. The issue was identified by Hossein Lotfi of Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative (Apple Security).

The vulnerability exists in the AppleJPEG component and involves improper input sanitization when processing media files. When exploited, it can lead to unexpected application termination or corruption of process memory. The issue has been assigned a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 5.5 (MEDIUM) with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, indicating local access is required and user interaction is needed (NVD).

The vulnerability can result in unexpected application termination or process memory corruption when processing maliciously crafted media files. This could potentially lead to denial of service conditions or exposure of sensitive information in memory (Apple Security, Apple Security).

Apple has addressed the vulnerability by implementing improved input sanitization in the affected operating systems. Users are advised to update to the following versions: watchOS 11.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, tvOS 18.5, iPadOS 17.7.7, iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, macOS Sequoia 15.5, visionOS 2.5, or macOS Ventura 13.7.6 (Apple Security).