Memory Handling Issue in Apple iPadOS and macOS Products

CVE-2025-24118

What is CVE-2025-24118?

CVE-2025-24118 is a vulnerability that affects Apple’s iPadOS and macOS products, specifically related to memory handling issues. This vulnerability could allow an application to manipulate memory, resulting in unexpected system behavior, including potential system crashes or kernel memory corruption. Such an exploitation could disrupt organizational operations by compromising the stability and reliability of these devices, which are widely used in both personal and corporate environments.

Technical Details

The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the affected Apple operating systems. Although the exact mechanics of exploitation are not detailed, the flaw is significant enough that it required an improved memory management protocol to be implemented in the respective software updates. The identified versions that mitigate this risk include iPadOS 17.7.4, macOS Sequoia 15.3, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.3.

Potential impact of CVE-2025-24118

1. System Termination: The vulnerability could lead to unexpected terminations of system processes, disrupting business continuity and impacting productivity for users reliant on Apple devices.

2. Kernel Memory Corruption: The possibility of writing to kernel memory poses a risk of deeper system compromise, potentially giving attackers a foothold to escalate privileges or execute unauthorized commands.

3. Operational Disruption: By affecting key functionalities in popular operating systems, the exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to significant downtime, impacting an organization's ability to operate and serve clients effectively.

References