CVE-2025-24194 Overview
CVE-2025-24194 is a logic flaw in Apple's web content processing components affecting iOS, iPadOS, macOS Sequoia, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. Processing maliciously crafted web content can trigger disclosure of process memory to an attacker. The issue was addressed through improved checks and patched in iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4, and watchOS 11.4.
The vulnerability is network-reachable and requires user interaction, typically by convincing a target to visit an attacker-controlled page. Successful exploitation exposes sensitive in-process data that could aid further attacks against the browser or operating system.
Critical Impact
Attackers can leak in-process memory from Apple client devices by luring users to malicious web content, exposing secrets that facilitate follow-on exploitation.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 18.4
- Apple macOS Sequoia prior to 15.4
- Apple tvOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4, and watchOS 11.4 (prior versions)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-31 - CVE-2025-24194 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-24194
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2025-24194 is classified as an information disclosure issue triggered by processing maliciously crafted web content. Apple describes the root cause as a logic error, resolved by tightening validation checks in the affected component. The bug allows attacker-controlled input to influence code paths that read or emit uninitialized or out-of-scope memory.
Because the flaw exposes process memory, leaked data may include heap pointers, object metadata, cryptographic material, or fragments of previously handled content. Such disclosures are frequently chained with memory corruption bugs to bypass Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and achieve reliable code execution.
CWE information is not specified by NVD [NVD-CWE-noinfo]. No public exploit or CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) listing exists for this identifier.
Root Cause
Apple's advisories attribute the issue to a logic error corrected with additional checks. The affected code failed to properly validate state or bounds while handling crafted web content, permitting the process to expose memory that should have remained inaccessible.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network and requires user interaction. A victim must load malicious web content — for example, by visiting a hostile page or opening a document that embeds attacker-controlled resources. No authentication is required, and the attack does not need elevated privileges on the target device.
No verified proof-of-concept code has been published. Refer to the Apple Security Support Document #122371 and related bulletins for vendor-supplied technical detail.
// No verified public exploitation code is available for CVE-2025-24194.
// See Apple advisories 122371, 122373, 122376, 122377, and 122378 for details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24194
Indicators of Compromise
- Client devices running iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS below the patched versions listed in Apple's advisories
- Web traffic from managed endpoints to untrusted domains hosting obfuscated or unusually large JavaScript, WebAssembly, or media payloads
- Anomalous browser or WebKit process behavior following visits to newly registered or low-reputation domains
Detection Strategies
- Inventory Apple endpoints and cross-reference OS build numbers against the fixed versions (iOS/iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, tvOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4, watchOS 11.4)
- Correlate web proxy logs with endpoint telemetry to identify users who loaded suspicious content prior to unexpected process crashes or restarts
- Alert on rendering-process anomalies such as repeated WebKit child process terminations across a fleet
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest MDM compliance data to continuously track Apple OS versions across managed devices
- Monitor DNS and TLS SNI telemetry for connections to domains distributing malicious web content
- Track user-reported browser instability and correlate with URL history and threat intelligence feeds
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24194
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Apple devices to iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4, or watchOS 11.4 or later
- Enforce patch compliance through Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies and block non-compliant devices from sensitive resources
- Advise users to avoid clicking links from untrusted sources until updates are applied
Patch Information
Apple resolved the issue by adding improved checks to the affected component. Patch guidance is documented in Apple Security Support Document #122371, #122373, #122376, #122377, and #122378. Administrators should deploy the corresponding OS updates through MDM or Software Update.
Workarounds
- Restrict browsing on unpatched devices to trusted, allow-listed domains through network filtering
- Disable JavaScript in Safari on high-risk devices until patches are applied, accepting the usability trade-off
- Use enterprise browser isolation or remote browser services to render untrusted web content off-device
# Verify macOS build version and prompt update if below 15.4
sw_vers -productVersion
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
