Apple Multiple Products Improper Locking Vulnerability (CVE-2025-43510)

Apple watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS, and tvOS contain an improper locking vulnerability that could allow a malicious application to cause unexpected changes in memory shared between processes.

Published Dec 12, 2025 · Updated May 29, 2026

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Why patchRisk explained in plain English

Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A local attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2026-04-03 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Software Vulnerability (CWE-667) (CWE-667) vulnerability in Apple Multiple Products. 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. Exploitation requires local access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

●Apple Device Administrators

●Endpoint Security

●IT Security

●Running ipados: v < 18.7.2, 26.0; iphone os: v < 18.7.2, 26.0; macos: 14.0 ≤ v < 14.8.2, 15.0 ≤ v < 15.7.2, 26.0; tvos: v < 26.1; visionos: v < 26.1; watchos: v < 26.1

Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/darksword-ios-exploit-chain/

How to patch

Get the fix

Apply the fixed package from your vendor. The advisory lists affected versions and the exact fixed build.

↗ Vendor advisory

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA 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.