CVE-2025-24085 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability affecting Apple's visionOS and earlier versions of iOS prior to iOS 17.2, as well as related Apple operating systems including iPadOS, macOS Sequoia, watchOS, and tvOS. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management leading to a use-after-free condition, which can be exploited by a malicious application to elevate its privileges on the affected device. This means an attacker could execute code with higher privileges than intended, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying system settings, or installing persistent malware. Apple has addressed this vulnerability by improving memory management in visionOS 2.3, iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, and tvOS 18.3. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting a high severity due to the combination of local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high). Although Apple is aware of reports that this vulnerability may have been actively exploited in the wild against iOS versions before 17.2, no confirmed widespread exploit campaigns have been documented yet. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-416 (Use After Free), a common and dangerous memory corruption flaw that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The affected versions are unspecified but include all versions prior to the patched releases. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple platforms, indicating a systemic issue in the underlying memory management code shared across these OSes.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially to those relying on Apple devices including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and the emerging visionOS platform. The ability for a malicious application to elevate privileges locally could lead to unauthorized access to corporate data, bypass of security controls, and potential lateral movement within enterprise networks if devices are connected. This is particularly critical for sectors with sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. The requirement for user interaction (e.g., installing or running a malicious app) means social engineering or supply chain attacks could be vectors. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in Europe and the increasing adoption of visionOS devices, the vulnerability could impact both consumer and enterprise users. The potential for privilege escalation also raises concerns for managed device environments and mobile device management (MDM) solutions, as compromised devices could undermine organizational security policies. Furthermore, the vulnerability's presence across multiple Apple platforms increases the attack surface and complicates mitigation efforts.

European organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Apple devices to the versions specified by Apple: visionOS 2.3, iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, and tvOS 18.3. In addition to patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies to limit installation of untrusted or unsigned applications, reducing the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Employing Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) solutions can help detect suspicious app behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. User awareness training focused on phishing and social engineering can reduce the likelihood of users installing malicious applications. Network segmentation and restricting device access to sensitive systems can limit the impact of compromised devices. Monitoring device logs and behavior for signs of privilege escalation or unusual activity is recommended. For organizations using MDM, enforcing policies that require devices to be updated promptly and restricting app installation sources will further reduce risk. Finally, organizations should maintain an inventory of Apple devices and ensure visibility into their OS versions to prioritize remediation efforts effectively.