CVE-2025-43221: 
macOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-43221 is an out-of-bounds access vulnerability discovered in Apple's Model I/O component that affects multiple Apple operating systems. The vulnerability was disclosed on July 29, 2025, and affects macOS Sequoia, iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, and tvOS 18.6. The issue was identified by Michael DePlante (@izobashi) of Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative (Apple Support, NVD).

The vulnerability is characterized as an out-of-bounds access issue in the Model I/O component that was addressed with improved bounds checking. When processing a maliciously crafted media file, this vulnerability could lead to unexpected app termination or corrupt process memory. The vulnerability has received a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 7.1 (HIGH) with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H, 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 information disclosure or system instability (Apple Support).

The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction to exploit, specifically through the processing of a maliciously crafted media file. The CVSS score indicates high severity but requires user interaction for successful exploitation (NVD).

Apple has addressed this vulnerability by implementing improved bounds checking in the affected systems. The fix is available in macOS Sequoia 15.6, iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, visionOS 2.6, and tvOS 18.6. Users are advised to update their devices to these versions to mitigate the vulnerability (Apple Support).