CVE-2025-31201 Apple Multiple Products Arbitrary Read and Write Vulnerability
Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and other Apple products contain an arbitrary read and write vulnerability that allows an attacker to bypass Pointer Authentication.
From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.
Should You Worry?
- CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 17 Apr 2025.
- Rated Critical severity (CVSS 9.8, scored by CISA).
- It has been in the catalogue for 568 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.
What It Is
This issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1, macOS Sequoia 15.4.1, tvOS 18.4.1, visionOS 2.4.1. An attacker with arbitrary read and write capability may be able to bypass Pointer Authentication. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on iOS.
Affected Versions
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| Apple iOS and iPadOS | before 18.4.1 |
| Apple macOS | before 15.4.1 |
| Apple tvOS | before 18.4.1 |
| Apple visionOS | before 2.4.1 |
From the public CVE record, as supplied by the vendor. Always confirm against the vendor advisory.
What To Do Now
- 1
Find it
Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for Apple Multiple Products. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.
Attack Surface Management - 2
Fix it
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Vulnerability Management - 3
Hunt for compromise
If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.
Incident Response - 4
Prove it is fixed
Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.
Penetration Testing
The Compliance Clock
General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.
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