CVE-2025-24102
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an information disclosure vulnerability in Apple operating systems where an app can determine a user's current location without proper authorization. It affects iPadOS, macOS Sequoia, macOS Sonoma, and macOS Ventura users. The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive location data.
💻 Affected Systems
- iPadOS
- macOS Sequoia
- macOS Sonoma
- macOS Ventura
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Malicious app could continuously track user's precise location, enabling physical surveillance, stalking, or targeted attacks based on location patterns.
Likely Case
Apps with location permissions could access location data beyond their intended scope, potentially leaking sensitive movement patterns to advertisers or data brokers.
If Mitigated
With proper app vetting and user permission controls, impact is limited to apps that users intentionally grant location access to.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user to install a malicious app; no authentication bypass needed beyond app installation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: iPadOS 17.7.4, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, macOS Ventura 13.7.3
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/122067
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Download and install the latest update. 3. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Location Permissions
allReview and restrict location permissions for all installed apps to minimize exposure.
Disable Location Services
allTemporarily disable location services entirely until patching is complete.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict app installation policies to prevent untrusted app installation
- Deploy mobile device management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions and monitor for suspicious location access
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device OS version in Settings > General > About > Software VersionCheck Version:
sw_vers (macOS) or Settings > General > About > Software Version (iPadOS)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in fix_official.patch_version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual frequency of location access requests from apps
- Apps accessing location without corresponding user interaction
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected network traffic to location-based services or APIs
SIEM Query:
source="apple-location-services" AND (event_type="location_access" AND frequency>threshold)🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122067
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122068
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122069
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122070
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jan/14
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jan/15
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jan/16
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jan/17
