CVE-2025-24137: Apple iPadOS RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-24137 Overview

CVE-2025-24137 is a type confusion vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems that could allow a remote attacker to cause unexpected application termination or achieve arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability stems from improper type checking within system components, which Apple has addressed through improved validation mechanisms in recent security updates.

Type confusion vulnerabilities occur when a program allocates or initializes a resource using one type but later accesses that resource using an incompatible type. This mismatch can lead to memory corruption, allowing attackers to manipulate program execution flow and potentially execute malicious code.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers on adjacent networks can exploit this type confusion vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or crash applications across Apple's entire device ecosystem, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and Vision Pro headsets.

Affected Products

• Apple iPadOS (versions prior to 17.7.4 and 18.3)
• Apple iOS (versions prior to 18.3)
• Apple macOS Sonoma (versions prior to 14.7.3)
• Apple macOS Sequoia (versions prior to 15.3)
• Apple visionOS (versions prior to 2.3)
• Apple watchOS (versions prior to 11.3)
• Apple tvOS (versions prior to 18.3)

Discovery Timeline

• January 27, 2025 - CVE-2025-24137 published to NVD
• November 3, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24137

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-843 (Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type - Type Confusion). Type confusion vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in systems programming contexts because they can subvert memory safety guarantees and bypass security mechanisms.

The attack requires adjacent network access, meaning an attacker must be on the same local network segment as the target device. While this limits the attack surface compared to internet-facing vulnerabilities, it remains a significant risk in corporate environments, public Wi-Fi networks, and home networks where multiple devices share connectivity.

Successful exploitation requires some user interaction, but once triggered, the attacker can achieve full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected system. This could enable data theft, persistent backdoor installation, or complete device takeover.

Root Cause

The root cause is a type confusion issue where the system fails to properly validate object types before accessing them. When a program casts or accesses an object as a different type than it was originally allocated, the resulting memory layout mismatch can corrupt adjacent memory structures, overwrite function pointers, or manipulate object metadata in ways that give attackers control over program execution.

Apple's fix implements improved type checks to ensure objects are accessed using only their intended types, preventing the type confusion condition from being exploitable.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable via adjacent network access, requiring the attacker to be on the same network segment as the victim device. The attack flow involves:

1. An attacker positions themselves on the same local network as the target Apple device
2. The attacker crafts malicious network traffic or content designed to trigger the type confusion
3. User interaction is required to initiate the vulnerable code path
4. Upon successful exploitation, the attacker achieves arbitrary code execution or causes application crashes

The adjacent network requirement limits exploitation to scenarios such as compromised Wi-Fi networks, corporate LANs, or situations where an attacker has local network access.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24137

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected application crashes or terminations, particularly in system services handling network communications
• Abnormal memory usage patterns or memory corruption signatures in crash logs
• Suspicious network traffic from adjacent network devices targeting Apple services
• Evidence of unauthorized code execution following application crashes

Detection Strategies

• Monitor system logs for unusual application termination events, especially those with memory corruption signatures
• Implement network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns on local network segments targeting Apple devices
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying type confusion exploitation attempts
• Review crash reports for patterns consistent with memory safety violations

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on Apple devices in enterprise environments to capture detailed crash information
• Implement network segmentation to limit adjacent network attack surface
• Use intrusion detection systems configured to alert on suspicious local network activity targeting Apple services
• Maintain asset inventory to track which devices require patching

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24137

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all Apple devices to the latest patched versions immediately: iPadOS 17.7.4 or 18.3, iOS 18.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, visionOS 2.3, watchOS 11.3, and tvOS 18.3
• Prioritize patching devices connected to shared or untrusted networks
• Implement network segmentation to reduce adjacent network attack exposure
• Review and restrict local network access where possible

Patch Information

Apple has released security patches addressing this vulnerability across all affected platforms. Detailed patch information is available in Apple's security advisories:

• Apple Security Advisory #122066 - macOS Sequoia 15.3
• Apple Security Advisory #122067 - macOS Sonoma 14.7.3
• Apple Security Advisory #122068 - iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3
• Apple Security Advisory #122069 - iPadOS 17.7.4
• Apple Security Advisory #122071 - watchOS 11.3
• Apple Security Advisory #122072 - tvOS 18.3
• Apple Security Advisory #122073 - visionOS 2.3

Additional technical details were disclosed via Full Disclosure mailing list posts in January 2025.

Workarounds

• Isolate unpatched Apple devices on separate network segments with restricted access
• Limit exposure to untrusted adjacent networks (e.g., avoid public Wi-Fi on unpatched devices)
• Enable automatic updates on all Apple devices to receive future security patches promptly
• Implement strict network access controls to minimize the attack surface for adjacent network threats

# Verify macOS version to ensure patch is applied
sw_vers -productVersion
# Expected output for patched systems: 14.7.3 or higher (Sonoma), 15.3 or higher (Sequoia)

# Check iOS/iPadOS version via command line (for managed devices)
# Navigate to Settings > General > About to verify version is 18.3 or 17.7.4+