Symlink Vulnerability in Apple's iOS and iPadOS Products

CVE-2025-24104

What is CVE-2025-24104?

CVE-2025-24104 is a vulnerability present in Apple's iOS and iPadOS products, which are widely used mobile operating systems designed to power various devices including iPhones and iPads. This vulnerability pertains to the handling of symbolic links (symlinks) and may allow malicious actors to modify protected system files when a crafted backup file is restored. Such an exploitation could undermine the integrity and security of affected devices, potentially leading to unauthorized changes or data manipulation, posing significant risks to both personal information and organizational data security.

Technical Details

The vulnerability arises due to insufficient handling of symlinks, which are used to create a reference to another file or directory in the file system. In the context of CVE-2025-24104, when a maliciously crafted backup file is restored, it could lead to unintended modifications in crucial system files. This indicates a flaw in the way Apple's iOS and iPadOS handle backup restores, particularly in safeguarding against crafted malicious input. Apple has addressed this issue through updates in iPadOS 17.7.4, iOS 18.3, and iPadOS 18.3.

Potential impact of CVE-2025-24104

1. Unauthorized Access to System Files: The vulnerability could allow attackers to change critical system files, potentially enabling them to bypass security mechanisms or escalate privileges on the device.

2. Data Integrity Compromise: Organizations and individuals could face significant risks to the integrity of their data, as malicious modifications might lead to loss of vital information or corruption of applications.

3. Increased Attack Surface for Future Exploits: By successfully manipulating system files through this vulnerability, attackers may establish a foothold in the system, opening avenues for further exploits or malware deployment, leading to a larger security breach.

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