CVE-2025-24216 Overview
CVE-2025-24216 is a memory handling vulnerability affecting Apple Safari and multiple Apple operating systems. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected Safari crash, resulting in a denial of service condition. Apple addressed the issue with improved memory handling in Safari 18.4, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4, and watchOS 11.4. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-119] (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer). Exploitation requires user interaction, such as visiting an attacker-controlled webpage.
Critical Impact
Processing maliciously crafted web content can trigger an unexpected Safari crash, disrupting browser availability on affected Apple devices.
Affected Products
- Apple Safari (prior to 18.4)
- Apple iOS and iPadOS (prior to 18.4, iPadOS 17.7.6)
- Apple macOS Sequoia (prior to 15.4), tvOS (prior to 18.4), visionOS (prior to 2.4), watchOS (prior to 11.4)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-31 - CVE-2025-24216 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-24216
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the web content processing components of Apple's WebKit-based Safari browser and related operating system frameworks. When Safari parses specially crafted web content, improper memory handling leads to an unexpected termination of the browser process. The flaw is classified under [CWE-119], indicating that operations are performed outside the intended memory buffer boundaries. Attackers can leverage this condition to cause a denial of service against the Safari process.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper memory handling in Safari's web content rendering path. Apple's security advisory states the issue was addressed with improved memory handling. Insufficient validation of memory operations during content parsing allows crafted input to place the process into an inconsistent state, triggering the crash.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network and requires user interaction. A victim must visit a malicious webpage or open content that references attacker-controlled resources. No authentication is required. Successful exploitation impacts availability of the Safari process but does not, based on the published data, compromise confidentiality or integrity.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for this issue. Refer to the Apple security advisories for vendor-supplied technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24216
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected Safari process terminations or crash reports referencing WebKit rendering components on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS devices.
- Repeated Safari crash logs generated shortly after visiting untrusted or newly encountered domains.
- Presence of Safari or WebKit crash dumps in ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ on macOS endpoints running versions prior to the patched releases.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for abnormal Safari or WebContent process crashes correlated with web browsing activity.
- Inventory Apple endpoints and flag devices running Safari, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS versions below the fixed builds listed in the Apple advisories.
- Correlate DNS and proxy logs with crash events to identify potentially malicious domains delivering crafted web content.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track patch compliance for Apple devices against the fixed versions and alert on non-compliant hosts.
- Ingest macOS unified logs and crash reports into a centralized logging platform for retrospective analysis.
- Monitor threat intelligence feeds and the Apple security releases page for updates on WebKit-related exploitation activity.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24216
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Apple devices to the patched versions: Safari 18.4, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4, and watchOS 11.4.
- Prioritize patching for user-facing endpoints and executive devices that frequently browse external web content.
- Communicate to users that they should avoid untrusted links until patch deployment is complete.
Patch Information
Apple released fixes across its product lines. Consult the vendor advisories for exact build numbers and rollout guidance: Safari 18.4, iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, and visionOS 2.4. Debian users should reference the Debian LTS Announcement for WebKit-related package updates.
Workarounds
- Where patching is delayed, restrict Safari usage to trusted internal sites via mobile device management (MDM) content filtering policies.
- Deploy web filtering or DNS-based blocking to prevent access to known malicious domains.
- Enable automatic updates on Apple devices to reduce exposure windows for future WebKit vulnerabilities.
# Verify macOS build and Safari version
sw_vers -productVersion
defaults read /Applications/Safari.app/Contents/Info.plist CFBundleShortVersionString
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
