CVE-2025-24095 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems, specifically affecting versions prior to iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, as well as visionOS 2.4. The issue stems from insufficient entitlement checks that allow an application to bypass the privacy preferences set by the user or system. Entitlements in Apple’s ecosystem are security controls that restrict app capabilities; bypassing these can enable unauthorized access to sensitive data or system features. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-288, which involves authentication bypass via alternate paths or channels, indicating that the app can circumvent normal permission checks. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.6 reflects a high-severity rating, with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), user interaction (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), and high confidentiality and integrity impacts (C:H/I:H), with low availability impact (A:L). Exploitation requires the attacker to have some privileges on the device and user interaction, but the low complexity means it is relatively easy to exploit once conditions are met. Apple addressed this vulnerability by implementing additional entitlement checks in the affected OS versions, closing the bypass path. No public exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to user privacy and data integrity, as malicious apps could access or manipulate data beyond their authorized scope.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-24095 is the potential unauthorized access to sensitive user data and system features by malicious or compromised applications on iOS and iPadOS devices. This can lead to breaches of confidentiality, such as exposure of personal information, location data, or other protected resources. Integrity could also be compromised if apps manipulate data or system settings without proper authorization. Although availability impact is low, the breach of privacy controls undermines user trust and could facilitate further attacks, such as targeted phishing or surveillance. Organizations relying on Apple mobile devices for sensitive communications or data storage face increased risk of data leakage and compliance violations. The vulnerability could be exploited in targeted attacks or by malware distributed through app stores or sideloading, especially in environments where users have elevated privileges or are tricked into interaction. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits rapidly once details are public. Overall, the vulnerability threatens the security posture of Apple device users globally, particularly in sectors where privacy is paramount, such as government, finance, healthcare, and enterprise.

To mitigate CVE-2025-24095, organizations and users should promptly update all affected Apple devices to iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, or visionOS 2.4 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict app vetting policies, limiting installation to trusted sources and employing Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions and entitlements. Monitoring for unusual app behavior or privilege escalation attempts can help detect exploitation attempts. Educating users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and the importance of user interaction in exploitation scenarios reduces attack surface. Developers should review entitlement usage carefully and follow Apple’s security guidelines to avoid introducing similar flaws. Network-level protections, such as restricting app network access and using endpoint security solutions tailored for iOS, can add defense layers. Finally, organizations should maintain an inventory of devices and OS versions to ensure timely updates and compliance with security policies.