CVE-2025-43532: 
macOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-43532 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Apple's Foundation framework affecting multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw was discovered by Andrew Calvano and Lucas Pinheiro of Meta Product Security and disclosed on December 12, 2025, when Apple released patches. Affected versions include iOS and iPadOS prior to 18.7.3 and 26.2, macOS Sonoma prior to 14.8.3, macOS Sequoia prior to 15.7.3, macOS Tahoe 26.2, tvOS 26.2, visionOS 26.2, and watchOS 26.2. It carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 2.8 (Low), assessed by CISA-ADP (Apple Advisory iOS 26.2, Apple Advisory macOS Sequoia, Apple Advisory macOS Sonoma).

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-120 (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input / Classic Buffer Overflow) and resides in Apple's Foundation framework. Insufficient bounds checking when processing malicious data allows a buffer overflow condition to be triggered. Exploitation requires local access, low privileges, and user interaction (e.g., opening or processing a maliciously crafted data file), making it a relatively constrained attack vector. Apple addressed the issue by implementing improved bounds checking in the affected component (Apple Advisory macOS Sequoia, Apple Advisory macOS Sonoma).

Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-43532 results in unexpected application termination (denial of service), with no confirmed confidentiality or integrity impact per the CVSS assessment (availability impact: Low, confidentiality and integrity impact: None). The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple platforms — including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, and Apple Watch — but the constrained attack prerequisites limit the practical blast radius. There is no evidence of lateral movement potential or sensitive data exposure associated with this vulnerability (Apple Advisory iOS 26.2, Apple Advisory macOS Sequoia).

Apple has released patches across all affected platforms. Users should update to the following versions or later: iOS 18.7.3, iPadOS 18.7.3, iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, macOS Tahoe 26.2, tvOS 26.2, visionOS 26.2, and watchOS 26.2. Updates can be applied via System Settings > General > Software Update on macOS, or Settings > General > Software Update on iOS/iPadOS. No configuration-based workarounds have been published; updating to a patched release is the only recommended remediation (Apple Advisory macOS Sequoia, Apple Advisory macOS Sonoma, Apple Advisory iOS 26.2).

The vulnerability was responsibly disclosed by Andrew Calvano and Lucas Pinheiro of Meta Product Security, credited in Apple's official advisories. Coverage was largely routine, appearing in tech outlets such as 9to5Mac and Lifehacker as part of broader reporting on Apple's December 2025 security update cycle. No significant independent researcher commentary or notable community debate has been identified specific to this CVE, consistent with its low severity rating.