CVE-2025-24124 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. This vulnerability allows for unexpected app termination when parsing a file. The issue was addressed with improved checks in the latest versions of iOS and macOS. Specifically, it is fixed in iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, iPadOS 17.7.4, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, macOS Ventura 13.7.3, tvOS 18.3, visionOS 2.3, and watchOS 11.3. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, indicating a medium level of risk that organizations need to consider.
Risk to organizations includes potential unexpected application terminations, which can disrupt operations and create a poor user experience. Although this vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, it is crucial for organizations to address it in their patch management processes. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately, especially if they are using affected Apple products.
The vulnerability is classified as having a low attack complexity and does not require any privileges to exploit, making it accessible to attackers who can manipulate file inputs. As such, it is recommended to stay updated with the latest patches from Apple to mitigate any associated risks.
Given the nature of this vulnerability and its potential impacts, organizations are advised to schedule remediation as part of their routine security practices.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-24124, was publicly disclosed on January 27, 2025. It affects several Apple operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. The official CVE description states that the issue was addressed with improved checks to prevent unexpected application terminations when parsing files.
This vulnerability is classified under CVSS version 3.1 with a vector string of 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H', leading to a base score of 5.5, which indicates a medium severity level. The availability impact is rated as high, suggesting that exploitation could lead to significant disruptions.
As for the affected systems, all versions prior to the respective vendor patches are vulnerable. These include various versions of iPadOS, iPhone OS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-24124 lies in insufficient checks when parsing files. This flaw can be exploited locally, requiring user interaction to trigger the vulnerability. The attack complexity is low, as it does not necessitate any elevated privileges for the attacker. The availability impact is rated high, meaning that successful exploitation can result in application crashes.
Organizations must be aware of the potential for unexpected application terminations, which can lead to data loss or unsaved work. It is critical to ensure that users are well-informed about the nature of files they are opening and the applications they are using.
No public exploits have been confirmed for this vulnerability, and there are no known proof-of-concept (PoC) codes available. However, the existence of such a vulnerability in widely-used operating systems necessitates immediate attention to update and patch the affected systems.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risks associated with CVE-2025-24124 include the potential for critical disruptions in business operations. If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to unanticipated application terminations, resulting in lost productivity and potential data loss. This situation could severely impact organizations that rely on the affected Apple products for daily operations.
Given the medium CVSS score of 5.5, organizations should assess the urgency of addressing this vulnerability. While it is not classified as critical, the availability impact requires that organizations prioritize patching as part of their security hygiene.
Organizations should monitor the deployment of Apple systems and ensure that all devices are updated to the latest versions as soon as possible. The blast radius of this vulnerability may extend beyond individual devices, potentially affecting interconnected systems within an organization's environment.
Urgency for patching remains high; therefore, organizations are encouraged to schedule remediation promptly.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS prior to the respective vendor patches are affected by CVE-2025-24124. Specifically, the vulnerable versions include iPadOS versions before 17.7.4, macOS versions before 13.7.3, and other versions as detailed in the vendor's advisory.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching to the latest versions of the affected Apple operating systems as soon as possible. The specific updates that address this vulnerability include iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, iPadOS 17.7.4, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, macOS Ventura 13.7.3, tvOS 18.3, visionOS 2.3, and watchOS 11.3.
If a patch is not immediately available, organizations should implement workarounds such as limiting file parsing to trusted sources and educating users about the risks of opening untrusted files. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network controls to monitor file access and potential anomalies.
For ongoing security assurance, organizations may benefit from conducting regular security assessments and engaging in continuous security testing. This proactive approach can help identify similar vulnerabilities and mitigate risks.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts related to CVE-2025-24124, organizations should monitor log indicators for unusual application behavior or unexpected terminations. Behavioral anomalies such as frequent application crashes when parsing files should be investigated thoroughly.
Network signatures that alert on abnormal file accesses or file types being opened in sensitive applications can also serve as an effective detection mechanism. Additionally, any unauthorized changes to system configurations should be logged and reviewed.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2025-24124 represents a common type of vulnerability found in many software products, highlighting the importance of robust input validation. The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its ability to disrupt operational stability, serving as a reminder for organizations to implement stringent security practices.
As organizations increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, the lessons learned from this vulnerability underscore the need for continuous monitoring and proactive security measures. Regular updates and patches must be part of an organization's risk management strategy.
Security teams should review their vulnerability management programs to ensure they can quickly respond to similar vulnerabilities in the future. Engaging in comprehensive security testing, including penetration testing, can provide valuable insights into potential weaknesses and enhance overall security posture.
Furthermore, organizations should stay informed about emerging threats and vulnerabilities by participating in relevant threat intelligence sharing initiatives and employing threat intelligence platforms.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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