CVE-2025-24178
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows a malicious app to escape its sandbox restrictions on affected Apple operating systems, potentially gaining unauthorized access to system resources or other apps' data. It affects macOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and iOS users running outdated versions of these operating systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
- tvOS
- iPadOS
- iOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
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 →Tvos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with system privileges, access sensitive data, or install persistent malware.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing malicious apps to access other apps' data, system files, or perform unauthorized actions.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper app vetting processes are in place and users only install trusted applications from official sources.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed on the target device. No public exploit code has been disclosed as of the advisory date.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.4, iPadOS 17.7.6, iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/122371
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings (macOS) or Settings (iOS/iPadOS/tvOS). 2. Navigate to General > Software Update. 3. Download and install the latest available update. 4. Restart the device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Installation Sources
allConfigure devices to only allow app installations from the App Store and identified developers
For macOS: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Allow apps downloaded from: App Store
For iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > Device Management > App Restrictions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application allowlisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications
- Isolate vulnerable devices from critical network segments and sensitive data
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the current OS version against the patched versions listed in the advisoryCheck Version:
For macOS: sw_vers -productVersion, For iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version, For tvOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the OS version matches or exceeds the patched versions: macOS Ventura 13.7.5+, tvOS 18.4+, iPadOS 17.7.6+, iOS 18.4+, macOS Sequoia 15.4+, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5+📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected process spawning from sandboxed applications
- System integrity protection (SIP) violations
- Unauthorized file access attempts from app containers
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from applications that shouldn't have network access
SIEM Query:
source="apple_system_logs" AND (event="sandbox_violation" OR process="*" AND parent_process IN ("App1","App2"))🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122371
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122372
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122373
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122374
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122375
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122377
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/10
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/11
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/13
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/4
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/5
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/8
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/9
