CVE-2025-24149: Apple iPadOS Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2025-24149 Overview

CVE-2025-24149 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability [CWE-125] affecting multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw exists in file parsing logic and can disclose user information when a crafted file is opened. Apple addressed the issue through improved bounds checking across its product line.

The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, such as opening a malicious file. Successful exploitation results in confidentiality loss without affecting system integrity or availability. Apple released coordinated fixes on January 27, 2025, covering iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.

Critical Impact
Parsing a malicious file may leak sensitive user data from process memory across Apple's entire consumer and enterprise device ecosystem.

Affected Products

Apple iOS and iPadOS (versions prior to 18.3 and 17.7.4)
Apple macOS Sequoia, Sonoma, and Ventura (prior to 15.3, 14.7.3, and 13.7.3)
Apple tvOS 18.3, visionOS 2.3, and watchOS 11.3

Discovery Timeline

2025-01-27 - CVE-2025-24149 published to NVD
2025-01-27 - Apple releases security patches across affected platforms
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24149

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2025-24149 is an out-of-bounds read condition triggered during file parsing. When the vulnerable component processes a specially crafted file, it reads memory past the intended buffer boundary. The disclosed memory may contain residual data such as user identifiers, tokens, or fragments of prior process state.

Apple's advisory confirms that the fix implements improved bounds checking. This indicates that the original code path failed to validate a length or offset value against the actual size of the parsed structure. The vulnerability affects shared parsing components used across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds validation on data derived from file input. Parsing logic accepted attacker-controlled size or index values without verifying them against the destination buffer. The read proceeds beyond allocated memory, returning adjacent heap or stack contents to the caller.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires an attacker to deliver a malicious file and convince the user to open or preview it. The attack vector is local, and no elevated privileges are required prior to interaction. Because Apple has not published the affected file format or component, defenders should treat any untrusted file handled by system parsers as a potential trigger. Refer to the Apple security advisories for the platform-specific fix notes.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24149

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes or memory access exceptions in file-handling processes such as QuickLook, mdworker, or media parsers
Delivery of unsolicited files through email, messaging apps, or AirDrop from unknown senders
Endpoints running Apple OS builds older than iOS 18.3, iPadOS 17.7.4, macOS 15.3, 14.7.3, or 13.7.3

Detection Strategies

Inventory Apple devices and flag those on OS versions predating the January 2025 security releases
Correlate file-open events with subsequent process crashes or abnormal memory pressure
Monitor mobile device management (MDM) telemetry for compliance drift on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS patch levels

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable centralized crash-report collection from macOS endpoints and review .ips reports for parser-related faults
Alert on repeated file-parse failures originating from a common source or file type
Track patch adoption rates through your MDM or endpoint management console

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24149

Immediate Actions Required

Deploy the January 27, 2025 Apple security updates to all managed devices
Prioritize devices that handle sensitive data or receive files from external senders
Instruct users to avoid opening files from untrusted sources until patching is complete

Patch Information

Apple fixed the vulnerability in iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, iPadOS 17.7.4, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, macOS Ventura 13.7.3, tvOS 18.3, visionOS 2.3, and watchOS 11.3. Detailed release notes are available in Apple Support Article 122066 and the related advisories numbered 122067 through 122073.

Workarounds

No official workaround exists; patching is the only supported remediation
Restrict receipt of files from untrusted senders through email gateway and messaging controls
Disable automatic file previews in workflows where malicious files could be delivered

bash

# Verify installed macOS version against the patched baseline
sw_vers -productVersion

# Trigger the software update check on macOS
sudo softwareupdate -l
sudo softwareupdate -ia --restart

# For iOS/iPadOS fleets managed via MDM, enforce minimum OS version 18.3 (or 17.7.4)