CVE-2025-24104 – This vulnerability allows an attacker to modify... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-24104?

CVE-2025-24104 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This vulnerability allows an attacker to modify protected system files on iOS/iPadOS devices by restoring a maliciously crafted backup file containing symlinks. It affects users who restore backups from untrusted sources on vulnerable iOS/iPadOS versions.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows an attacker to modify protected system files on iOS/iPadOS devices by restoring a maliciously crafted backup file containing symlinks. It affects users who restore backups from untrusted sources on vulnerable iOS/iPadOS versions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

iOS
iPadOS

Versions: Versions prior to iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and iPadOS 17.7.4

Operating Systems: iOS, iPadOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects devices that restore backups via iTunes or Finder. Requires user interaction to restore malicious backup.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

An attacker could gain persistent control over system files, potentially enabling privilege escalation, data theft, or device compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Malicious backup files from untrusted sources could modify system files to bypass security controls or install malware.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper controls, impact is limited as exploitation requires user interaction to restore malicious backups.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Exploitation requires local access to restore backups, not directly internet-exposed.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires user to restore malicious backup, which could occur via social engineering or compromised backup sources.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires crafting malicious backup files and convincing users to restore them. No public exploit code identified.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, iPadOS 17.7.4

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/122066

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Download and install iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, or iPadOS 17.7.4. 3. Device will restart automatically after installation.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Avoid untrusted backups

all

Only restore backups from trusted sources. Verify backup integrity before restoration.

Disable automatic backup restoration

all

Manually control backup restoration instead of automatic processes.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Only restore backups from verified, trusted sources
Implement mobile device management (MDM) policies to control backup sources

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check iOS/iPadOS version in Settings > General > About > Software Version. If version is below iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, or iPadOS 17.7.4, device is vulnerable.

Check Version:

Settings > General > About > Software Version (no CLI command on iOS)

Verify Fix Applied:

After updating, verify version shows iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, or iPadOS 17.7.4 in Settings > General > About > Software Version.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual backup restoration events
System file modification attempts from backup processes

Network Indicators:

Backup transfers from untrusted sources

SIEM Query:

Search for backup restoration events followed by system file modification alerts

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-24104

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

CWE: CWE-59

EPSS Score: 5.98% exploit probability (90.5th percentile)

Published: January 27, 2025

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/en-us/122066 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/122067 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jan/14

📤 Share & Export

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