CVE-2025-24104 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple iPadOS and iPhone OS. This vulnerability allows for the modification of protected system files when a maliciously crafted backup file is restored. The impact of this issue is significant, as it can lead to unauthorized changes to critical system components. Organizations using iPadOS and iPhone OS should be aware of this risk and prioritize patching to mitigate potential exploitation.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-59, which relates to symbolic link vulnerabilities. It was published on January 27, 2025, and is addressed in versions iPadOS 17.7.4, iOS 18.3, and iPadOS 18.3. Given its exploitability and the potential for exploitation, organizations should prioritize remediation efforts.
Currently, there is a known exploit available for this vulnerability, raising the urgency for organizations to apply the necessary patches. Failure to address this vulnerability may result in unauthorized access and modification of sensitive system files, which can have serious implications for the integrity and security of the affected devices.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent potential exploitation and ensure the security of their Apple devices.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability states that it was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. Specifically, restoring a maliciously crafted backup file may lead to modification of protected system files. The vulnerability affects the following products: iPadOS and iPhone OS.
The CVSS score of 5.5 places this vulnerability in the medium severity category. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L) and no privileges required (PR:N). User interaction is required (UI:R), while the confidentiality impact is none (C:N), integrity impact is high (I:H), and availability impact is none (A:N).
CWE-59 is the classification associated with this vulnerability, indicating a weakness related to symbolic links. The vulnerability was published on January 27, 2025, and is fixed in iPadOS 17.7.4, iOS 18.3, and iPadOS 18.3.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper handling of symbolic links. When a maliciously crafted backup file is restored, it can exploit this issue to modify protected system files. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker would need access to the device to exploit this vulnerability.
The attack complexity is low, indicating that the exploit can be executed without requiring sophisticated techniques. No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, but user interaction is needed, as the user must restore the malicious backup file.
The impact on confidentiality is none, as the vulnerability does not expose sensitive information. However, the integrity impact is high, as attackers may modify critical system files, potentially leading to system instability or unauthorized access.
There is no impact on availability, meaning that the normal functioning of the system is not directly affected by this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2025-24104 is significant due to the potential for unauthorized modification of system files. Organizations using Apple devices, particularly those running iPadOS or iPhone OS, are at risk if they do not apply the necessary security patches.
The blast radius for this vulnerability may extend to any device that can restore the malicious backup file, potentially affecting multiple users or systems within an organization. The urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability is heightened by the known exploit and the ease of exploitation.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to ensure that their devices remain secure and protected from potential exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of iPadOS prior to 17.7.4, iOS versions prior to 18.3, and iPadOS versions prior to 18.3 are affected by this vulnerability. This includes any versions that fall within the specified ranges.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to the latest versions of iPadOS 17.7.4 or iOS 18.3. If upgrading is not immediately possible, organizations can implement workarounds such as restricting the restoration of backup files from untrusted sources.
Additionally, organizations should establish configuration hardening practices, implement network controls to limit access to devices, and monitor for any unusual activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments, including penetration testing, should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized file modification, particularly in relation to backup restoration processes. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected system changes or file access patterns, may also indicate exploitation attempts. Network signatures related to unauthorized restoration activities should be established, and system changes should be logged and reviewed regularly.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-24104 lies in its reflection of how vulnerabilities related to file handling and permissions can lead to serious security breaches. It highlights the importance of robust security measures in software development and the need for continuous monitoring and updating of systems.
As the threat landscape evolves, security teams should learn from such vulnerabilities and strengthen their defenses against similar exploits. Implementing a proactive approach to security, including regular updates and awareness training, can help mitigate risks associated with vulnerabilities like this one.
For more insights into security best practices, organizations can refer to our guide on security testing best practices. Additionally, continuous education on emerging threats can empower teams to respond effectively to vulnerabilities as they arise.
Lastly, organizations should consider engaging in continuous penetration testing to ensure ongoing security against potential threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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