Unexpected App Termination Vulnerability in Apple Products

CVE-2025-24160

What is CVE-2025-24160?

CVE-2025-24160 is a vulnerability found in various Apple products, including iPads, Macs, and iPhones. This issue arises from inadequate error handling when parsing certain files, which could lead to unexpected application terminations. If left unaddressed, this vulnerability poses a threat to organizations that rely on Apple’s ecosystem for their operations, potentially disrupting workflows and causing data loss during unexpected crashes.

Technical Details

The vulnerability was identified due to specific conditions in parsing files that could trigger an unexpected termination of an application. Apple addressed this issue in several software updates, including iPadOS 17.7.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, visionOS 2.3, iOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, and tvOS 18.3. The resolution involved the implementation of improved checks to safeguard against this flaw.

Potential Impact of CVE-2025-24160

1. Disruption of Services: The unexpected termination of applications can hinder productivity, especially in business environments where continuity is critical. Frequent crashes can lead to significant downtime.

2. Data Integrity Risks: With applications terminating unexpectedly, there's a risk of losing unsaved data. This can result in not only operational losses but also challenges in maintaining data integrity.

3. Increased Support Costs: Organizations may face higher support costs as IT teams address complications arising from the vulnerability, including troubleshooting and providing user support to handle application crashes and data recovery processes.

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