CVE-2025-24243
📋 TL;DR
This memory handling vulnerability in Apple operating systems allows arbitrary code execution when processing malicious files. Attackers can exploit this to run unauthorized code on affected devices. All users running vulnerable versions of visionOS, macOS, tvOS, and iOS/iPadOS are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- visionOS
- macOS
- tvOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
📦 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
Full system compromise with attacker gaining complete control over the device, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Malicious file execution leading to malware installation, data exfiltration, or credential theft through social engineering attacks.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file handling restrictions and user education preventing malicious file execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to open a malicious file. No public exploit code is currently available, but the vulnerability is serious enough that attackers may develop private exploits.
🛠️ 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: No
Instructions:
1. Open Settings/System Preferences. 2. Navigate to Software Update. 3. Install the latest available update for your operating system. 4. Verify the update completed successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict File Processing
allImplement application whitelisting to restrict which applications can process files from untrusted sources.
User Education
allTrain users to avoid opening files from unknown or untrusted sources, especially email attachments and downloads.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file type filtering at network perimeter to block potentially malicious files
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious file processing behavior
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check your operating system version against the vulnerable versions listed in affected_systems.versionsCheck Version:
On macOS: sw_vers -productVersion. On iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version. On tvOS: Settings > General > About > Version.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify your system is running one of the patched versions listed in fix_official.patch_version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected application crashes when processing files
- Suspicious file processing activity in system logs
- Unusual memory allocation patterns
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of suspicious file types from untrusted sources
- Outbound connections initiated after file processing
SIEM Query:
source="apple_system_logs" AND (event="application_crash" OR event="memory_error") AND process="*file_handler*"🔗 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
