CVE-2025-24107 is a permissions-related vulnerability in Apple tvOS and other Apple operating systems that allows a malicious application to escalate its privileges to root. The root cause is a permissions issue categorized under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions), which means the system did not enforce sufficient restrictions on certain operations or resources, enabling privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms, including tvOS, macOS Sequoia, watchOS, iOS, and iPadOS, and was addressed in their respective 18.3 and 15.3 updates. Exploitation requires the attacker to have low-level privileges (PR:L) but does not require user interaction (UI:N), and the attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must already have some access to the device, such as through app installation. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), as gaining root privileges allows full control over the device, including access to sensitive data, modification of system files, and disruption of services. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the high CVSS score of 7.8 reflects the potential severity. The vulnerability highlights the risks associated with improper permission settings and the critical need for Apple users to apply security patches promptly. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in consumer and enterprise environments, this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or malware campaigns if exploited. The fix involves additional restrictions on permissions to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially to those using Apple TV devices and other Apple platforms in their operations. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can gain root access, compromising the confidentiality of sensitive information, the integrity of system configurations and data, and the availability of services running on the device. This could lead to unauthorized data exfiltration, installation of persistent malware, or disruption of business-critical applications. Sectors such as media, finance, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on Apple ecosystems for digital signage, communication, or operational technology could be particularly impacted. The local attack vector means that initial compromise or physical access is required, but once achieved, the attacker can escalate privileges to fully control the device. This elevates the threat from a minor local compromise to a full system takeover, increasing the potential damage and recovery costs. Additionally, the vulnerability affects multiple Apple OS versions, broadening the scope of affected systems across organizations that may not have uniform patch management policies. Failure to patch promptly could expose European enterprises to targeted attacks or lateral movement within networks.

European organizations should prioritize updating all affected Apple devices to the patched OS versions: tvOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, iOS 18.3, and iPadOS 18.3. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict controls on app installation sources, limiting installations to trusted and verified applications only, ideally through managed app stores or Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions. Implement device usage policies that restrict physical and network access to Apple TV devices, reducing the risk of local exploitation. Continuous monitoring and logging of device activities can help detect unusual privilege escalations or unauthorized app installations. For environments with high security requirements, consider network segmentation to isolate Apple TV devices from critical systems. Educate users and administrators about the risks of installing untrusted apps and the importance of timely updates. Finally, maintain an up-to-date asset inventory of Apple devices to ensure all endpoints are accounted for and patched promptly.