watchOS 11.3 Security Update

What watchOS 11.3 Fixes

watchOS 11.3, released January 27, 2025, fixes 20 vulnerabilities in 11 parts of the system, according to Apple's security advisory.

Apple does not say that any of them were exploited before the fix. That makes watchOS 11.3 a routine security update: worth installing soon, not an emergency.

It has since been superseded: the newest security release for watchOS 11 is watchOS 11.6, from July 29, 2025, which includes these fixes.

Grouped by us from the impact Apple gives for each fix; the impact lines below are Apple's own.

Which Devices Get watchOS 11.3

Apple lists watchOS 11.3 for: Apple Watch Series 6 and later.

How to Install watchOS 11.3

Open the Watch app on the paired iPhone, then General → Software Update. The watch needs to be on its charger and within range of the iPhone.

Security fixes are cumulative: any later release for the same version includes these as well, so if you are already past watchOS 11.3 there is nothing to do.

Every Fix in watchOS 11.3

All 20 CVEs in Apple's advisory, the most serious kinds first. Each entry is the part of the system affected, Apple's description of the impact and the fix, and the CVE ID.

• Kernel

  An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

  A validation issue was addressed with improved logic.

  CVE-2025-24159

• CoreMedia

  A malicious application may be able to elevate privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 17.2.

  A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management.

  CVE-2025-24085

• Kernel

  A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges

  A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions.

  CVE-2025-24107

• Kernel

  An app may be able to leak sensitive kernel state

  An information disclosure issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code.

  CVE-2025-24144

• CoreAudio

  Parsing a file may lead to an unexpected app termination

  The issue was addressed with improved checks.

  CVE-2025-24160 CVE-2025-24161 CVE-2025-24163

• CoreMedia

  Parsing a file may lead to an unexpected app termination

  The issue was addressed with improved checks.

  CVE-2025-24123 CVE-2025-24124

• CoreMedia Playback

  An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination

  The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

  CVE-2025-24184

• Display

  An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination

  A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved state management.

  CVE-2025-24111

• ImageIO

  Processing an image may lead to a denial-of-service

  The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

  CVE-2025-24086

• libxslt

  Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash

  This is a vulnerability in open source code and Apple Software is among the affected projects. The CVE-ID was assigned by a third party. Learn more about the issue and CVE-ID at cve.org .

  CVE-2024-55549 CVE-2025-24855

• WebKit

  Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to memory corruption

  The issue was addressed with improved checks.

  CVE-2025-24189

• WebKit

  Processing web content may lead to a denial-of-service

  The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

  CVE-2025-24158

• WebKit

  Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash

  This issue was addressed through improved state management.

  CVE-2025-24162

• LaunchServices

  An app may be able to fingerprint the user

  This issue was addressed with improved redaction of sensitive information.

  CVE-2025-24117

• PackageKit

  An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system

  A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions.

  CVE-2025-31262

• SceneKit

  Parsing a file may lead to disclosure of user information

  An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved bounds checking.

  CVE-2025-24149

watchOS 11 Security Release History

watchOS 11.3 in context: the security releases Apple has published for watchOS 11, newest first, with the number of fixes each carried.

The Same Fixes Elsewhere

Apple ships most fixes to every platform that shares the code, and to older versions still under support. These releases close at least one of the same CVEs:

Frequently Asked Questions