CVE-2024-54525: Apple iPadOS Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2024-54525 Overview

CVE-2024-54525 is a logic flaw in Apple's backup restore handling that allows a maliciously crafted backup file to modify protected system files. The vulnerability affects iOS, iPadOS, macOS Sequoia, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. Apple addressed the flaw with improved file handling in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, tvOS 18.2, visionOS 2.2, and watchOS 11.2. The issue is classified under [CWE-434] and carries a CVSS score of 8.8. Successful exploitation requires user interaction to restore the attacker-supplied backup, but yields high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Critical Impact

Restoring a maliciously crafted backup file may lead to modification of protected system files across iOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.

Affected Products

• Apple iOS and iPadOS prior to 18.2
• Apple macOS Sequoia prior to 15.2
• Apple tvOS prior to 18.2, visionOS prior to 2.2, and watchOS prior to 11.2

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-03-17 - CVE-2024-54525 published to NVD
• 2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-54525

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the backup restore workflow shared across Apple operating systems. During restore, the system processes file metadata and paths supplied by the backup archive. A logic error in file handling permitted entries within a backup to overwrite files that the operating system normally protects through System Integrity Protection (SIP) and equivalent platform controls. An attacker who convinces a user to restore a crafted backup can replace or modify protected system files. This grants persistence and elevated control over the affected device. The flaw maps to [CWE-434] because it involves unsafe handling of attacker-controlled file content during a privileged operation.

Root Cause

The restore routine did not adequately validate destination paths and protection attributes for files contained within the backup archive. The trust boundary between user-supplied backup data and protected system locations was insufficient. Apple resolved the issue by introducing stricter file handling checks that prevent restored entries from targeting protected system paths.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires the victim to initiate a restore using a backup file controlled by the attacker. The CVSS vector indicates a network attack vector with user interaction required. The attacker delivers the malicious archive through any channel that allows the victim to import it into the restore workflow. Once restored, the crafted entries modify protected system files, undermining platform integrity guarantees. Refer to the Apple Support Article #121845 for vendor details on the affected component and remediation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54525

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected modification timestamps on files under protected system directories on macOS, such as /System, /usr (excluding /usr/local), and /Library/Apple.
• Restore events originating from backup archives sourced outside trusted Apple-managed channels.
• Devices running iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS versions below the patched releases following a recent restore operation.

Detection Strategies

• Audit endpoint telemetry for file integrity changes within SIP-protected paths after device restores.
• Correlate Mobile Device Management (MDM) restore or migration events with subsequent system-file modifications.
• Flag any backup files delivered from untrusted email, messaging, or removable media that are subsequently used to restore Apple devices.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Track macOS Unified Log entries from backupd, Migration Assistant, and related restore subsystems for anomalous restore sources.
• Maintain inventories of OS build versions and alert on endpoints that remain below iOS 18.2, macOS 15.2, tvOS 18.2, visionOS 2.2, or watchOS 11.2.
• Monitor for new launch agents, daemons, or configuration profiles appearing immediately after a restore event.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54525

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all Apple endpoints to iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, tvOS 18.2, visionOS 2.2, or watchOS 11.2 or later.
• Restrict device restores to backups originating from trusted, organization-controlled sources.
• Communicate to users that they must not restore Apple devices from backup files received from untrusted parties.

Patch Information

Apple addressed CVE-2024-54525 by improving file handling logic in the restore path. The fix is included in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, tvOS 18.2, visionOS 2.2, and watchOS 11.2. Vendor advisories are available at Apple Support Article #121837, Apple Support Article #121839, Apple Support Article #121843, Apple Support Article #121844, and Apple Support Article #121845.

Workarounds

• Disable user-initiated restores from arbitrary backup archives via MDM policy where supported.
• Only restore Apple devices using backups produced by trusted iCloud accounts or organization-managed Finder/iTunes hosts.
• Verify the provenance and integrity of any backup file before performing a restore operation on a vulnerable device.