Detect Apple WebKit Use-After-Free Exploitation Attempt (CVE-2025-43529) in Sumo Logic CSE
Detects exploitation attempts targeting CVE-2025-43529, a use-after-free vulnerability in Apple's WebKit browser engine affecting multiple Apple products. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild (CISA KEV) and can lead to arbitrary code execution when a user visits a maliciously crafted webpage. Attackers may leverage this flaw to achieve initial access or privilege escalation on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS devices.
MITRE ATT&CK
Sumo Detection Query
_sourceCategory=macos* OR _sourceCategory=endpoint/crowdstrike OR _sourceCategory=endpoint/carbonblack
| json field=_raw "process.name" as process_name nodrop
| json field=_raw "process.parent.name" as parent_process_name nodrop
| json field=_raw "process.command_line" as cmdline nodrop
| json field=_raw "host.name" as hostname nodrop
| where parent_process_name in ("Safari", "WebProcess", "com.apple.WebKit.WebContent")
| where process_name in ("sh", "bash", "zsh", "python3", "curl", "osascript", "launchctl", "nc", "ncat")
| count by hostname, parent_process_name, process_name, cmdline
| sort by _count descSumo Logic query for detecting Apple WebKit exploitation via suspicious child process spawning from WebKit browser processes, targeting CVE-2025-43529.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Browser-based automation tools or CI/CD runners on macOS
- Legitimate osascript usage by enterprise applications launching from browser context
- Developer environments with browser-shell integration plugins
- Software update helpers invoked through browser UI on macOS
Other platforms for CVE-2025-43529
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Simulate WebKit Child Process Spawn (macOS)
Expected signal: Process creation event: parent=osascript, child=bash; bash executing id and whoami commands
- Test 2WebProcess Curl Outbound Simulation
Expected signal: Network connection event: process=curl, initiated from simulated WebKit parent context, destination=127.0.0.1:9999
- Test 3Launchctl Persistence Attempt Post-WebKit Exploitation
Expected signal: Process creation: launchctl load with plist argument; file write to /tmp/webkit_test/test.plist; LaunchAgent registration event in macOS Unified Log
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2025-43529 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.