Overview
The CVE-2025-43362 is a critical vulnerability that primarily affects users of Apple’s iOS and iPadOS devices. This severe security flaw allows an application to monitor keystrokes without the user’s permission, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage. As an issue that has been addressed and fixed in the updates of iOS 18.7, iOS 26, iPadOS 18.7, and iPadOS 26, it is of utmost importance to understand this vulnerability, who it affects, and why it’s relevant to the cybersecurity landscape.
The significance of this vulnerability lies in the potential threat it poses to the confidentiality and integrity of user data. With a CVSS Severity Score of 9.8, an indication of its high risk, it could allow malicious entities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, including but not limited to user credentials, personal messages, and even secure payment information.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-43362
Severity: Critical (9.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Local Access
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
Apple iOS | Before 18.7 and 26
Apple iPadOS | Before 18.7 and 26
How the Exploit Works
The exploit works by manipulating an application to monitor keystrokes on the device without the user’s permission. It takes advantage of insufficient checks within the system, allowing a malicious application to potentially record every keystroke made on the device. This could include sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal messages.
Conceptual Example Code
While specific exploit code would vary per application, a conceptual example might look something like this:
import UIKit
class MaliciousViewController: UIViewController, UIKeyInput {
var hasText: Bool = true
func insertText(_ text: String) {
print("Key Pressed: \(text)")
logKeystroke(text)
}
func deleteBackward() {
print("Backspace Pressed")
logKeystroke("backspace")
}
}In this Swift code snippet, a hypothetical malicious application could potentially log keystrokes by implementing the `UIKeyInput` protocol in a `UIViewController`. This would allow the application to respond to key presses and log them without the user’s knowledge or consent.
Mitigation Guidance
To mitigate this vulnerability, users are advised to update their iOS and iPadOS devices to the latest version (iOS 18.7, iPadOS 18.7, iOS 26, or iPadOS 26). As a temporary solution, users may also use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to monitor and block suspicious activities. However, these measures are temporary and should not replace the need for applying the vendor’s patch.
