Pointer Authentication Bypass in Apple Products
CVE-2025-31201
Key Information:
- Vendor
- Apple
- Vendor
- CVE Published:
- 16 April 2025
Badges
What is CVE-2025-31201?
CVE-2025-31201 is a critical vulnerability affecting Apple products, particularly those running iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS. This vulnerability pertains to a bypass in the Pointer Authentication mechanism, which is designed to enhance security by ensuring data integrity during code execution. When exploited, this weakness could allow an attacker to perform arbitrary read and write operations, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data. Organizations using affected Apple devices risk significant security breaches if they do not address this vulnerability promptly.
Technical Details
The vulnerability involves a flaw in the implementation of Pointer Authentication in various Apple operating systems, leading to a capability for arbitrary code execution. Attackers who can read and write memory locations may exploit this flaw to bypass the authentication protections normally provided by the Pointer Authentication feature. Apple has addressed this vulnerability in recent updates, specifically in versions tvOS 18.4.1, visionOS 2.4.1, iOS 18.4.1, iPadOS 18.4.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.4.1, by removing the vulnerable code.
Potential impact of CVE-2025-31201
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Data Breaches: By bypassing Pointer Authentication, attackers could gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored on affected Apple devices, leading to data exfiltration or unauthorized data manipulation.
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Targeted Attacks: Reports indicate that the vulnerability has been leveraged in sophisticated attacks against specific high-profile individuals, suggesting that it could be used for targeted espionage or personal data theft.
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System Compromise: The ability to perform arbitrary read and write operations can allow an attacker to take control of the affected device, potentially installing malware, accessing files, and executing malicious code, which can have widespread implications for network security.
CISA Reported
CISA provides regional cyber and physical services to support security and resilience across the United States. CISA monitor the most dangerious vulnerabilities and have identifed as being exploited but is not known by the CISA to be used in ransomware campaigns. This is subject to change at pace
The CISA's recommendation is: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Version(s)
iOS iOS and iPadOS < 18.4
macOS < 15.4
tvOS < 18.4
News Articles
CISA (.gov)CISA Adds Three Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog | CISA
CISA has added three new vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, based on evidence of active exploitation
3 weeks ago
2-SpywareApple fixes two critical flaws in CoreAudio and RPAC in emergency patch
The attacks were aimed at 'specific targeted individuals,' according to Apple. On April 16, 2025, Apple issued out-of-band security updates to repair two zero-day flaws
3 weeks ago
Apple Zero Days Under 'Sophisticated Attack,' but Details Lacking
The technology giant said two zero-day vulnerabilities were used in attacks on iOS devices against "specific targeted individuals," which suggests spyware or nation-state threat activity.
3 weeks ago
References
CVSS V3.1
Timeline
- 📈
Vulnerability started trending
- 👾
Exploit known to exist
- 🦅
CISA Reported
- 📰
First article discovered by The Hacker News
Vulnerability published
Vulnerability Reserved