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CVE-2025-24152: Medium Vulnerability in Apple macOS

A medium-severity vulnerability in Apple macOS Sequoia 15.3 allows an application to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory. Immediate action is recommended to mitigate potential risks.

MEDIUMCVSS 5.5 · Published January 27, 2025

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CVE-2025-24152 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS. The issue arises from improper memory handling, which can lead to unexpected system termination or corruption of kernel memory. The vulnerability is present in all macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.3, which includes the fix for this issue. Organizations utilizing macOS should prioritize remediation due to the potential risk of system instability and data integrity loss.

The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, indicating a medium level of severity. The attack vector is local, which means attackers need local access to the affected system to exploit this vulnerability. The low attack complexity and low privileges required for exploitation underscore the urgency for organizations to address this issue.

Risk to organizations includes the potential for system crashes and loss of critical data. The vulnerability's exploitability score is medium, indicating that while public exploits have not been confirmed, the possibility of exploitation exists. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.

The vulnerability was published on January 27, 2025, and has been classified as modified since its initial disclosure. Organizations are advised to monitor the situation closely and implement the necessary updates to safeguard their systems.

Vulnerability Details

The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory. The CVSS version is 3.1, with a vector string of 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H', indicating that while confidentiality and integrity impacts are none, availability impact is high.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability is attributed to improper memory handling within the macOS environment. This weakness allows an application running on the system to manipulate memory in a way that can lead to unexpected behavior. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have physical or administrative access to exploit this vulnerability. The attack complexity is considered low, as it does not require any specialized knowledge or advanced skills.

No user interaction is required for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability. The impacts on confidentiality and integrity are minimal, but availability is severely affected due to the potential for system crashes. This vulnerability necessitates immediate attention from security teams to prevent exploitation and protect systems.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Real-world deployment risk for CVE-2025-24152 is significant due to the potential for unexpected system termination and availability issues. Organizations relying on macOS for critical applications may experience operational disruptions if this vulnerability is exploited. The blast radius is considerable, as the vulnerability affects multiple systems running macOS prior to version 15.3.

Organizations should assess their exposure to this vulnerability and prioritize remediation efforts based on the CVSS score. The urgency for patching is classified as high, given the exploitability and the potential impact on system availability. Continuous monitoring for updates and advisories related to this vulnerability is essential.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The vulnerability affects all macOS versions prior to version 15.3. Organizations running these versions should prioritize upgrading to the latest release to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Mitigation & Remediation

To address CVE-2025-24152, organizations should upgrade to macOS Sequoia 15.3 or later. This version contains the necessary fixes for the memory handling issue. If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should consider implementing workarounds to restrict application access and monitor system behavior for anomalies. Additionally, conducting a thorough security assessment can help identify and remediate any potential vulnerabilities in the environment.

Organizations can benefit from engaging in penetration testing to further uncover any existing weaknesses in their systems.

Detection Guidance

To detect potential exploitation of CVE-2025-24152, organizations should monitor system logs for unexpected terminations and memory errors. Behavioral anomalies in applications running on macOS could indicate attempted exploitation. Network signatures related to unusual access patterns from local users should also be scrutinized to ensure the integrity of the system.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

CVE-2025-24152 highlights ongoing challenges in memory management within operating systems. As software continues to evolve, security teams must remain vigilant against vulnerabilities that can lead to significant availability impacts. This case underscores the importance of timely patching and proactive security assessments. For a comprehensive approach to security, organizations should consider implementing strategies such as vulnerability management programs and continuous monitoring to identify and address potential weaknesses before they are exploited.

Moreover, it is crucial for organizations to stay informed about emerging trends in cybersecurity, such as the increasing incidence of memory-related vulnerabilities. Regular updates and training for security teams can enhance their capability to combat these threats effectively. As part of this strategy, engaging in penetration testing can provide critical insights into the security posture of macOS environments.

Ultimately, organizations must adopt a proactive stance in their security practices, ensuring that they are equipped to handle vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-24152 effectively.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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