CVE-2025-24230
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Apple's audio file processing that could allow unexpected app termination. Attackers could exploit this by tricking users into playing malicious audio files. Affected systems include various Apple operating systems before specific patch versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- visionOS
- 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
Potential for arbitrary code execution leading to full system compromise, though the description only mentions app termination.
Likely Case
Denial of service through application crashes when processing malicious audio files.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if systems are patched or isolated from untrusted audio sources.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user to play a malicious audio file, but no authentication is needed once the file is accessed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: visionOS 2.4, 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 > General > Software Update. 2. Install available updates. 3. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Audio File Sources
allLimit audio file playback to trusted sources only and avoid playing files from unknown origins.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted audio players
- Use network segmentation to isolate vulnerable systems from untrusted networks
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS version against affected versions list in System Settings > General > About.Check Version:
sw_vers (macOS) or Settings > General > About (iOS/iPadOS)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in the CVE description.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected application crashes when playing audio files
- Audio processing errors in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of suspicious audio files from untrusted sources
SIEM Query:
search 'application crash' AND 'audio' OR 'media player' in system logs🔗 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
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122378
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/10
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/11
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/12
- 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
