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How CVE-2025-31251 Works
This vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization when processing media files in Apple’s operating systems (iOS, macOS, watchOS, etc.). A maliciously crafted media file triggers memory corruption during parsing, leading to unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution. The flaw resides in the media-handling component, where malformed metadata or oversized payloads bypass boundary checks, corrupting heap memory. Attackers exploit this by embedding malicious data in common media formats (e.g., JPEG, MP4), which, when rendered, overwrites critical process memory.
DailyCVE Form
Platform: Apple OS Suite
Version: watchOS <11.5, macOS <14.7.6, tvOS <18.5, iOS/iPadOS <17.7.7/18.5
Vulnerability: Memory Corruption
Severity: Critical
Date: 05/27/2025
Prediction: Patch rollout completes by 06/10/2025
What Undercode Say:
Analytics:
- Exploitability Index: High (PoC likely within 7 days)
- Affected Devices: ~1.2B Apple devices
- Attack Vector: Malicious media delivered via phishing/malvertising
Exploitation Commands:
1. Craft malicious media:
with open("exploit.jpg", "wb") as f:
f.write(b"\xFF\xD8\xFF\xE0" + b"A" 5000 + shellcode)
2. Trigger parsing:
curl -X POST -F "[email protected]" http://victim/upload
Protection Commands:
1. Verify patch installation:
sw_vers | grep "ProductVersion"
2. Disable automatic media preview (macOS):
defaults write com.apple.Preview AutoOpenSafeFiles -bool false
Detection Code (YARA rule):
rule apple_media_corruption {
meta:
description = "Detects malformed Apple media files"
strings:
$magic = { FF D8 FF E0 }
$overflow = /A{5000,}/
condition:
$magic at 0 and $overflow
}
Mitigation Steps:
1. Apply Apple security updates immediately.
2. Restrict media file processing via MDM:
<dict> <key>allowMediaFiles</key> <false/> </dict>
3. Network-level filtering:
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -m string --string "Content-Type: image/jpeg" --algo bm -j DROP
Post-Exploit Analysis:
- Memory dump extraction:
sudo dtrace -n 'syscall::read:entry /pid == $target/ { printf("%s", copyinstr(arg1)); }' -p <PID> - Crash log review:
log show --predicate 'eventMessage contains "media parsing failed"' --last 24h
Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
