Critical

Symlink handling flaw in Apple libxpc leading to unauthorized file deletion

IdentifiersCVE-2025-31182CWE-59

CVE-2025-31182 is a symlink-handling vulnerability in Apple's libxpc. Apple states the issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks and that, prior to the fix, an app may be able to delete files for which it does not have permission. The available advisory information indicates the flaw affects Apple platforms including visionOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and macOS, and is associated with libxpc. Based on the vendor description, the vulnerable behavior involves improper handling of symbolic links during file operations, allowing an application to cause deletion of files outside its intended authorization boundary.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation allows an application to delete files it should not be permitted to delete. Depending on the targeted file and platform context, this can result in unauthorized modification of system or user state, destruction of data, denial of service to applications or the OS, and potentially facilitate sandbox or privilege-boundary bypass effects by performing file deletions outside the app's normal permissions.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Until patched, reduce exposure by limiting installation and execution of untrusted applications, enforcing least-privilege application controls, and monitoring for anomalous file deletion activity. Where operationally feasible, restrict app access to sensitive file paths and avoid workflows in which attacker-controlled symlinks can influence privileged or security-relevant file operations. No vendor mitigation beyond updating is provided in the supplied content.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply the vendor-provided fixes in the following releases: visionOS 2.4, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, tvOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and macOS Sequoia 15.4. Apple indicates the issue was remediated through improved handling of symlinks in libxpc.

PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType

AppleIpadosoperating_system

AppleIphone Osoperating_system

AppleMacosoperating_system

AppleTvosoperating_system

AppleVisionosoperating_system

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

4 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.

4 SOURCESView more in app

apple supportNews

Jan 25, 2026

About the security content of visionOS 2.4 - Apple Support

A symlink handling issue that may allow an app to delete files without permission on Apple Vision Pro.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.

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Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity3