CVE-2025-24104 is a vulnerability identified in Apple iPadOS that arises from improper handling of symbolic links (symlinks) during the restoration of backup files. Specifically, when a user restores a backup that has been maliciously crafted to include symlinks pointing to protected system files, the restore process may inadvertently overwrite or modify these files. This can lead to unauthorized modification of critical system components, potentially undermining system integrity. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access). Exploitation requires local access to the device and user interaction to initiate the restore process, but does not require prior privileges or authentication. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5 reflects a local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), no confidentiality impact (C:N), high integrity impact (I:H), and no availability impact (A:N). Apple addressed this issue by improving symlink handling in iPadOS 17.7.4, iOS 18.3, and iPadOS 18.3. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability primarily threatens the integrity of the system by allowing unauthorized modification of protected files, which could lead to system instability, privilege escalation, or persistence of malicious code if exploited.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24104 can be significant, especially for those relying on iPadOS devices for sensitive communications, operational control, or data access. The ability to modify protected system files could allow attackers to implant persistent malware, alter system behavior, or bypass security controls, potentially leading to data integrity issues or operational disruptions. Although exploitation requires user interaction and local access, social engineering or insider threats could leverage this vulnerability to compromise devices. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that use iPadOS devices extensively may face increased risk. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may see elevated exposure if employees restore backups from untrusted sources. The lack of confidentiality impact reduces the risk of data leakage, but the high integrity impact means trust in device operation could be undermined, affecting compliance and operational reliability.

To mitigate CVE-2025-24104, European organizations should prioritize updating all iPadOS and iOS devices to versions 17.7.4, 18.3, or later where the vulnerability is patched. Restrict the restoration of backups to trusted and verified sources only, and educate users about the risks of restoring backups from unknown or untrusted origins. Implement device management policies that limit or monitor backup and restore operations, especially in enterprise environments. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce update compliance and restrict unauthorized device modifications. Regularly audit device configurations and backup integrity to detect anomalies. Additionally, consider restricting physical access to devices to reduce the risk of local exploitation. Monitoring for unusual device behavior post-restore can help detect potential exploitation attempts early. Since no known exploits are reported, proactive patching and user awareness remain the most effective defenses.