CVE-2024-54501 is a vulnerability identified in Apple tvOS and several other Apple operating systems including iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, macOS Sequoia, macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma, and iOS. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of maliciously crafted files, which can lead to a denial of service condition by exhausting system resources or causing a crash (classified under CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling). The vulnerability requires local access to the device and user interaction to trigger the processing of the malicious file. No privileges are required, making it accessible to any user who can deliver the malicious file and convince the user to open it. The CVSS 3.1 score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the limited scope (local attack vector), no impact on confidentiality or integrity, but a significant impact on availability. Apple has released patches in tvOS 18.2 and corresponding updates for other Apple OS versions to address this issue by implementing improved validation and checks when processing files. There are no known exploits in the wild, indicating the threat is currently theoretical but should be mitigated proactively. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to the patched releases, though exact affected versions are unspecified. The flaw could be exploited to disrupt services on Apple TV devices, which are used in both consumer and enterprise environments for media streaming and digital signage.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-54501 is the potential denial of service on Apple TV devices and other affected Apple platforms. This could disrupt media delivery, digital signage, or conference room systems relying on Apple TV, leading to operational interruptions. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, availability loss can affect business continuity, especially in sectors relying on Apple devices for presentations, communications, or customer engagement. Enterprises with large deployments of Apple devices may face increased risk if malicious actors deliver crafted files via email, network shares, or removable media. The lack of remote exploitability limits the threat to scenarios where attackers have local access or can trick users into opening malicious files. However, the widespread use of Apple devices in Europe, particularly in Western and Northern Europe, means that the impact could be significant in organizations with insufficient patch management or user awareness. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for prompt remediation.

1. Deploy patches immediately: Upgrade all affected Apple devices to the fixed versions (tvOS 18.2, iPadOS 17.7.3/18.2, watchOS 11.2, visionOS 2.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, macOS Ventura 13.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, iOS 18.2). 2. Restrict processing of untrusted files on Apple TV and other devices by limiting file sharing and network access to trusted sources only. 3. Educate users to avoid opening files from unknown or untrusted sources, especially on Apple TV and related devices. 4. Monitor Apple TV and related device logs for unusual crashes or service interruptions that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Implement network segmentation to isolate Apple TV devices from critical infrastructure to reduce impact if compromised. 6. Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce patch compliance and restrict installation of unauthorized applications or files. 7. Regularly review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving denial of service on media devices.