CVE-2024-27851 is a vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS that allows an attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution by tricking a user into processing maliciously crafted web content. The root cause is an insufficient bounds check, a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption issue classified under CWE-119. When a vulnerable device processes specially crafted web data, it may lead to memory corruption enabling an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application or system component. This vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, watchOS, Safari, and macOS Sonoma, with fixes released in their respective 2024.5 updates. Exploitation requires user interaction, such as visiting a malicious website or opening malicious content in Safari or other web-rendering components. No authentication is required, and the attack vector is network-based, making it remotely exploitable. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.5 (high), reflecting the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with a relatively high attack complexity due to the need for user interaction. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Apple mobile devices and the potential for attackers to gain full control over affected devices. The issue was resolved by Apple through improved bounds checking in the affected components, preventing memory corruption during web content processing.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat, especially those with employees or operations relying heavily on Apple iOS and iPadOS devices. Successful exploitation could lead to full device compromise, allowing attackers to steal sensitive data, install persistent malware, or disrupt device availability. This is particularly critical for sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, where mobile devices often access sensitive information or control systems. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely via web content increases the attack surface, as users may inadvertently trigger the exploit by visiting malicious websites or opening malicious links. The impact extends beyond individual users to organizational security posture, potentially enabling lateral movement or espionage. Given the high market penetration of Apple devices in many European countries, the risk is widespread. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value targets or in broader campaigns exploiting the large user base.

1. Immediate deployment of Apple’s security updates: Organizations should prioritize upgrading all iOS, iPadOS, and related Apple devices to version 17.5 or later where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to ensure devices remain updated and to restrict installation of untrusted applications or profiles. 3. Implement network-level protections such as web filtering and DNS filtering to block access to known malicious websites and reduce exposure to crafted web content. 4. Educate users about the risks of interacting with unknown or suspicious web links, especially on mobile devices. 5. Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts on iOS devices. 6. Restrict or monitor the use of Safari and other web browsers on managed devices, potentially using managed browser solutions that can enforce safe browsing policies. 7. Regularly audit and review device compliance and patch status through centralized management consoles. 8. For high-security environments, consider network segmentation and limiting device access to sensitive resources until patches are applied.