CVE-2024-54551 is a vulnerability identified in Apple watchOS and other Apple operating systems that can lead to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition by processing crafted web content. The root cause is improper memory handling, specifically a buffer-related issue categorized under CWE-119. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to remotely trigger a crash or service disruption on affected devices by delivering malicious web content, without requiring any user interaction. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms, including watchOS, tvOS, Safari, macOS, visionOS, iOS, and iPadOS, indicating a shared underlying component or codebase responsible for web content processing. Apple has addressed this issue by improving memory management in watchOS 10.6, tvOS 17.6, Safari 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, visionOS 1.3, iOS 17.6, and iPadOS 17.6. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting high severity due to network attack vector, no required privileges or user interaction, and impact limited to availability (denial-of-service). No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Apple platforms suggests a systemic issue in web content processing components, potentially WebKit or related frameworks. The denial-of-service impact could disrupt device availability, affecting user productivity and service continuity, especially in environments relying on Apple watchOS and related devices for critical operations.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-54551 is the potential for denial-of-service attacks on Apple devices, particularly Apple Watches running watchOS, but also other Apple platforms involved in web content processing. This could lead to temporary loss of device functionality, disrupting workflows that depend on these devices for communication, monitoring, or operational tasks. Enterprises using Apple ecosystems extensively, including mobile device management (MDM) solutions, could experience operational interruptions if devices become unresponsive or require reboots. The vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity but impacts availability, which can be critical in sectors such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing where Apple devices may be integrated into daily operations. Additionally, the lack of required user interaction or privileges means attackers can remotely trigger the DoS, increasing the risk of widespread disruption. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the high CVSS score and ease of exploitation warrant proactive mitigation to prevent potential attacks. The impact is more pronounced in organizations with high Apple device penetration and reliance on watchOS and related platforms.

1. Immediate deployment of the security updates released by Apple: watchOS 10.6, tvOS 17.6, Safari 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, visionOS 1.3, iOS 17.6, and iPadOS 17.6. 2. Enforce strict update policies within enterprise device management to ensure all Apple devices are patched promptly. 3. Limit exposure of vulnerable devices to untrusted or potentially malicious web content by implementing network-level filtering and web content inspection, especially for devices that access the internet directly. 4. Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to monitor device health and enforce security configurations that reduce attack surface. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of accessing unknown web content on Apple devices and encourage cautious behavior until patches are applied. 6. Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns indicative of attempts to exploit web content processing vulnerabilities. 7. Consider segmenting Apple devices on separate network zones to contain potential DoS impacts and facilitate rapid response. 8. Maintain an incident response plan that includes procedures for handling device outages caused by such vulnerabilities.