CVE-2025-24220
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a permissions vulnerability in iOS/iPadOS that allows apps to read persistent device identifiers without proper authorization. This affects users running iOS/iPadOS versions before 18.4. The issue could enable tracking and fingerprinting of Apple devices.
💻 Affected Systems
- iOS
- iPadOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Malicious app could persistently track user across different apps/services, enabling targeted attacks, profiling, or correlation of user activities across multiple applications.
Likely Case
Advertising/tracking SDKs or legitimate apps with excessive permissions could access device identifiers for analytics or fingerprinting purposes, potentially violating user privacy expectations.
If Mitigated
With proper app review and sandboxing, impact is limited to apps that have already been approved through App Store review process.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user to install a malicious app or an app with vulnerable SDK. App Store review process provides some protection.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/122371
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings app. 2. Tap General. 3. Tap Software Update. 4. Download and install iOS 18.4/iPadOS 18.4 update. 5. Device will restart automatically.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Installation
allOnly install apps from trusted sources and review app permissions carefully.
Review App Permissions
allRegularly review and revoke unnecessary app permissions in Settings.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) to control app installation and enforce security policies.
- Use enterprise app vetting processes and only allow installation of approved, verified applications.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check iOS/iPadOS version in Settings > General > About > Software Version. If version is earlier than 18.4, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
Not applicable - check via device Settings UIVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify version shows iOS 18.4 or iPadOS 18.4 in Settings > General > About > Software Version.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- App Store review logs showing apps requesting device identifiers
- MDM logs showing app installation attempts
Network Indicators:
- Unusual device identifier transmission to analytics/tracking endpoints
SIEM Query:
Not typically applicable for mobile device vulnerabilities of this nature