Security Digest · Vulnerability record · Known exploited
CVE-2025-55177: Meta Platforms WhatsApp Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). Incomplete authorization of linked device synchronization messages in WhatsApp for iOS prior to v2.25.21.73, WhatsApp Business for iOS v2.25.21.78, and WhatsApp for Mac v2.25.21.78 could have allowed an unrelated user to trigger processing of content from an arbitrary URL on a…
CISA KEV · added 2025-09-02 CVSS 5.4 Medium EPSS 4.7% · p92
Should you act?
Exploited: patch now if you run it
CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.
- Yes, if you run Meta Platforms WhatsApp. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-09-02, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2025-09-23; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
- EPSS 4.7%, percentile 92: FIRST’s model estimates a 4.7% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 92% of all scored CVEs (elevated). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Needs an account (low (any account)). Exposure depends on who can log in.
What it is
Incomplete authorization of linked device synchronization messages in WhatsApp for iOS prior to v2.25.21.73, WhatsApp Business for iOS v2.25.21.78, and WhatsApp for Mac v2.25.21.78 could have allowed an unrelated user to trigger processing of content from an arbitrary URL on a target’s device. We assess that this vulnerability, in combination with an OS-level vulnerability on Apple platforms (CVE-2025-43300), may have been exploited in a sophisticated attack against specific targeted users.
CISA’s summary
Meta Platforms WhatsApp contains an incorrect authorization vulnerability due to an incomplete authorization of linked device synchronization messages. This vulnerability could allow an unrelated user to trigger processing of content from an arbitrary URL on a target’s device.
Weakness type: CWE-863.
Product: Meta Platforms WhatsApp · Assigned by: facebook · Published: 2025-08-29
Affected and fixed versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions (per CVE record) |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Desktop for Mac | 2.22.25.2 < 2.25.21.78 | |
| WhatsApp Business for iOS | 2.22.25.2 < 2.25.21.78 | |
| WhatsApp for iOS | 2.22.25.2 < 2.25.21.73 |
Severity scores
| Scored by | CVSS | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | 5.4 Medium | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:F/RL:O/RC:C |
- Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
- Attack complexity: low
- Privileges required: low (any account)
- User interaction: none
- Scope: unchanged
CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.
Exploitation and urgency
- CISA KEV: added 2025-09-02; federal due date 2025-09-23. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
- CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 4.73% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 92.
Timeline
- — CVE record published by facebook
- — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
- — CVE record last updated
Sources and references
Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.
Vendor and project advisories, patches
- Listed in CISA KEV notes (whatsapp.com) whatsapp.com
Vulnerability records
- CVE.org record CVE-2025-55177 cve.org
- NVD entry CVE-2025-55177 nvd.nist.gov
Government
Other references from the CVE record and advisory
- facebook.com facebook.com
All exploited Meta Platforms vulnerabilities · Today’s Security Digest