CVE-2025-24163: Apple iPadOS DOS Vulnerability

CVE-2025-24163 Overview

CVE-2025-24163 is a file parsing vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. Parsing a maliciously crafted file can trigger unexpected application termination on affected devices. Apple addressed the issue with improved input validation checks across its ecosystem.

The flaw impacts iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, such as opening a crafted file. The vulnerability does not permit code execution or data disclosure, but it degrades availability of the affected application.

Critical Impact
Attackers can force unexpected application termination on Apple devices by delivering a crafted file to a target user, disrupting productivity workflows across the Apple ecosystem.

Affected Products

Apple iOS and iPadOS (fixed in iOS 18.3/iPadOS 18.3, iOS 18.4/iPadOS 18.4, iPadOS 17.7.4)
Apple macOS (fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3)
Apple tvOS 18.3/18.4, visionOS 2.3/2.4, watchOS 11.3/11.4

Discovery Timeline

2025-01-27 - CVE-2025-24163 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24163

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2025-24163 is an input validation issue in a file parsing component shared across Apple operating systems. When the affected component processes a specially crafted file, missing or insufficient boundary and structure checks cause the parser to enter an unrecoverable state. The result is unexpected termination of the process handling the file.

Apple has not published detailed root-cause information beyond stating the fix involved improved checks. The CWE assignment (NVD-CWE-noinfo) reflects the limited public detail. The vulnerability affects only availability; confidentiality and integrity are not impacted.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of file contents during parsing. The affected code path does not sufficiently verify structural fields or size boundaries before performing operations on the parsed data. Apple's patches introduced additional checks that reject malformed inputs before they can destabilize the process.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access and user interaction. An attacker must deliver a crafted file to the target and convince the user to open it in an application that invokes the vulnerable parser. Delivery channels include email attachments, messaging platforms, and web downloads. Successful exploitation terminates the receiving application but does not yield code execution or privilege escalation.

No public proof-of-concept, exploit code, or evidence of exploitation in the wild is currently associated with this CVE. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24163

Indicators of Compromise

Repeated unexpected termination of Apple applications correlated with the opening of a specific file attachment or download.
Crash reports referencing the affected parser component in ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ on macOS or the equivalent diagnostic subsystem on iOS/iPadOS.
Delivery of malformed files from untrusted sources through email, messaging, or web channels immediately preceding a crash event.

Detection Strategies

Correlate application crash events with recent file-open activity to identify malicious files triggering the parser flaw.
Monitor endpoint telemetry for spikes in application termination events on Apple devices, particularly across multiple users receiving the same file.
Inspect file attachments delivered via email and collaboration platforms for anomalous structure or extension mismatches.

Monitoring Recommendations

Aggregate macOS ReportCrash and iOS crash telemetry into a centralized log platform for cross-device analysis.
Track Apple OS version distribution across the fleet to identify devices still running vulnerable builds.
Alert on repeated crashes of the same application within a short time window on managed Apple endpoints.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24163

Immediate Actions Required

Update all Apple devices to the fixed OS versions listed by Apple: iOS/iPadOS 18.3 or later, iPadOS 17.7.4, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, tvOS 18.3, visionOS 2.3, and watchOS 11.3, or newer.
Prioritize patching of user-facing endpoints that regularly process untrusted files.
Communicate the risk to users and instruct them to avoid opening files from untrusted sources until updates are applied.

Patch Information

Apple released fixes across its operating systems in January 2025 and again in the 18.4/15.4 update wave. See the vendor advisories: Apple Support Document 122066, Apple Support Document 122067, Apple Support Document 122068, Apple Support Document 122069, Apple Support Document 122071, Apple Support Document 122072, and Apple Support Document 122073. Additional April 2025 update documentation is available in Apple Support Document 122371 through Apple Support Document 122378.

Workarounds

Restrict opening of file attachments from untrusted senders through email gateway policies and user awareness training.
Enforce Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies requiring minimum OS versions on managed Apple devices.
Where feasible, preview or sanitize inbound files in a sandboxed environment before delivery to end-user devices.

bash

# Verify installed macOS version to confirm patch level
sw_vers -productVersion

# Query iOS/iPadOS device build via MDM (example: Jamf Pro)
# jamf recon inventory reports the OS version field for each enrolled device