CVE-2025-24252 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting various Apple operating systems, including macOS, iPadOS, iOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The vulnerability arises from a use-after-free issue that was addressed with improved memory management. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a significant risk to systems that have not been patched. An attacker on the local network may be able to corrupt process memory, leading to potential exploitation.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited from an adjacent network, creating a substantial risk for devices that are not adequately secured. The urgency for defenders to address this vulnerability is high, as failure to do so may lead to unauthorized access and system compromise.
The vulnerability was published on April 29, 2025, and has since been modified. The affected versions include macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, iOS 18.4, and visionOS 2.4. This widespread impact across multiple platforms underscores the need for immediate attention from IT departments and security teams.
Organizations should implement the latest updates provided by Apple to mitigate this risk effectively. Additionally, monitoring for unusual behavior on affected devices can help identify potential exploitation attempts.
Vulnerability Details
According to the official description, the vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which relates to use-after-free errors. The potential impacts include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks. The vulnerability was addressed in multiple updates released by Apple for its various operating systems.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-24252 is related to improper memory management leading to use-after-free scenarios. This issue allows attackers on the local network to exploit the vulnerability with low attack complexity, requiring no privileges and no user interaction. The attack vector is classified as adjacent network, indicating that the attacker must be on the same local network as the target device.
The attack complexity is low, which means that successful exploitation can be achieved without significant effort. Given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, security teams must be vigilant in monitoring and responding to potential exploitation attempts.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential data breaches. The blast radius for this vulnerability may extend across all devices connected to the local network, making it crucial for organizations to address it urgently. Given the high CVSS score of 8.8, this vulnerability should be treated with high priority in the patching cycle.
Additionally, the potential for exploitation increases in environments where multiple devices are interconnected. Organizations should assess their network segmentation and implement necessary controls to limit exposure.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to vendor patch are affected, specifically: - iPadOS versions prior to 17.7.6 - iPhone OS versions prior to 18.4 - macOS versions prior to 13.7.5 and 14.7.5 - tvOS versions prior to 18.4 - visionOS versions prior to 2.4
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations must ensure that all Apple devices are updated to the latest versions. The specific versions to upgrade to include: - macOS Sequoia 15.4 - tvOS 18.4 - macOS Ventura 13.7.5 - iPadOS 17.7.6 - macOS Sonoma 14.7.5 - iOS 18.4 - visionOS 2.4
In addition to applying patches, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit the exposure of vulnerable devices to potential attackers. Enhanced monitoring and logging should also be established to detect any abnormal activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.
For more information on effective security practices, organizations can refer to resources on penetration testing and continuous monitoring.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation attempts, such as unusual access patterns or unexpected crashes. Behavioral anomalies in the applications could signal potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-24252 highlights ongoing challenges in software development related to memory management. Security teams should prioritize robust testing practices to avoid similar vulnerabilities in the future.
This vulnerability exemplifies the need for comprehensive security assessments. Organizations can learn from this incident to enhance their security posture. For further reading on security best practices, consider reviewing the following resources:
For more insights, refer to our article on penetration testing methodology and our guide on vulnerability management programs to strengthen your defenses against such vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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