Zero-click spyware deployment via crafted iCloud Link
Published Jun 16, 2025 · Updated Apr 2, 2026
A logic flaw in Messages across affected Apple operating systems allows remote attackers to deploy spyware through crafted iCloud Link media. Messages processes the malicious photo or video, but Apple has not disclosed which validation check fails or the precise code operation involved. The observed iMessage attack required no user interaction and compromised targeted iPhones with Graphite spyware.
Summary
What happened
A logic flaw in Messages across affected Apple operating systems allows remote attackers to deploy spyware through crafted iCloud Link media. Messages processes the malicious photo or video, but Apple has not disclosed which validation check fails or the precise code operation involved. The observed iMessage attack required no user interaction and compromised targeted iPhones with Graphite spyware.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-43200
- Published
- Jun 16, 2025
- Updated
- Apr 2, 2026
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- iOS and iPadOS
- Classifications
- T1203
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jun 16, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 2, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <15.8.4
- Affected versionversion=0 <16.7.11
- Affected versionversion=0 <18.3.1
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog listingknown exploited catalog
- Paragon Graphite zero-click campaign against journaliststhreat actor
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
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