CVE-2025-24201 Vulnerability

By Mezo in Vulnerability

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Apple has announced the release of a critical security update to fix a zero-day vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-24201. This flaw, which has been actively exploited in 'extremely sophisticated' attacks, affects the WebKit Web browser engine. The issue involves an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could allow attackers to bypass the Web Content sandbox, potentially compromising device security.

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CVE-2025-24201: The Technical Details

The CVE-2025-24201 vulnerability is categorized as an out-of-bounds write, a type of flaw that enables attackers to craft unsafe Web content capable of executing unauthorized actions. By exploiting this issue, attackers could potentially break out of the WebKit sandbox and gain control of the affected device. Apple has responded by implementing improved security checks to prevent these unauthorized actions from occurring. This patch also serves as a supplementary fix to an earlier attack that was blocked in iOS 17.2.

Active Exploitation in Targeted Attacks

Apple has acknowledged that the vulnerability may have been exploited in highly sophisticated attacks targeting specific individuals. However, the company has not disclosed details such as the origins of the attacks, the targeted user base, or how long the exploitation lasted. Additionally, it remains unclear whether the flaw was discovered internally by Apple's security team or reported by an external researcher.

Affected Devices and Software Versions

The security update is available for the following devices and software versions:

iOS 18.3.2 & iPadOS 18.3.2: iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (7th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later).
macOS Sequoia 15.3.2: Macs running macOS Sequoia.
Safari 18.3.1: Macs running macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma.
visionOS 2.3.2: Apple Vision Pro.

Apple’s Ongoing Efforts to Address Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

This is the third zero-day vulnerability Apple has patched in 2025. Previously, Apple also addressed CVE-2025-24085 and CVE-2025-24200, highlighting the increasing complexity of cyberattacks targeting Apple's ecosystem. These timely patches emphasize the importance of staying updated with the latest security fixes.

How to Stay Protected

Apple urges users to update their devices immediately to protect against this vulnerability. To update your devices:

iPhone & iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest update.
Mac: Open System Settings > General > Software Update to apply the latest macOS update.
Safari: Mac users on Ventura or Sonoma should update Safari through System Settings > Software Update.
Apple Vision Pro: Update visionOS through Settings > General > Software Update.

By staying current with updates, users can mitigate the risk of exploitation from this zero-day vulnerability and enhance the security of their Apple devices.

Apple's quick response to this security flaw reflects the ongoing efforts to protect users from sophisticated zero-day attacks. While the lack of transparency regarding the scale and origin of the attacks raises concerns, the patch provides crucial protection for affected devices. Users should prioritize timely updates to ensure continued security against evolving cyber threats.