CVE-2024-54505 is a vulnerability identified in Apple tvOS and other Apple operating systems including iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, macOS, Safari, and iOS. The root cause is a type confusion issue, classified under CWE-843, which arises when the system incorrectly handles memory types during the processing of web content. This flaw can be triggered by maliciously crafted web content, potentially leading to memory corruption. The consequence of this memory corruption is primarily a denial-of-service condition, where the affected device may crash or become unstable. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating medium severity. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R), and affects availability (A:H) without impacting confidentiality or integrity. The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component. Apple has addressed this issue in tvOS 18.2 and corresponding updates for other Apple platforms. No public exploits have been reported so far, suggesting limited active exploitation. The vulnerability highlights risks associated with processing untrusted web content on Apple devices, particularly Apple TV units used in consumer and enterprise environments.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-54505 is the potential disruption of services relying on Apple TV devices or other affected Apple platforms. This could affect digital signage, conference room setups, or media streaming services within corporate environments. Although the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, the denial-of-service effect could interrupt business operations, cause user inconvenience, and potentially impact customer-facing services. Organizations in sectors such as media, education, hospitality, and retail that utilize Apple TV devices extensively may experience operational downtime. Additionally, environments with strict uptime requirements or those using Apple devices for critical communications could face increased risk. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future attacks, especially if attackers develop reliable exploitation techniques. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering could be used to trigger the vulnerability, emphasizing the need for user awareness and controls on web content access.

To mitigate CVE-2024-54505, European organizations should prioritize updating all affected Apple devices to the latest patched versions, specifically tvOS 18.2 or later for Apple TV units. Network administrators should implement content filtering and restrict access to untrusted or potentially malicious web content on devices running vulnerable OS versions. Employing network segmentation to isolate Apple TV devices from critical infrastructure can limit potential impact. Monitoring device logs and behavior for unexpected crashes or instability can help detect exploitation attempts early. User education is important to reduce risky interactions with suspicious web content, as exploitation requires user interaction. Where possible, disable or limit web content rendering features on Apple TV devices used in sensitive environments. Organizations should also maintain an inventory of Apple devices to ensure full coverage of patch deployment. Finally, stay informed on any emerging exploit reports or additional patches from Apple.