CVE-2025-24123 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS and other Apple operating systems such as iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The issue arises from improper handling when parsing certain files, which can lead to unexpected application termination, effectively causing a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity but impacts availability by crashing affected applications. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), no impact on confidentiality or integrity (C:N/I:N), and high impact on availability (A:H). Exploitation requires a user to open or process a maliciously crafted file, which triggers the crash. Apple has addressed this vulnerability by implementing improved input validation and checks in multiple OS versions including macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, and others. There are currently no known exploits in the wild, but the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted denial-of-service attacks against applications processing untrusted files. The affected versions are unspecified but presumably include versions prior to the patched releases. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in file parsing components of operating systems.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24123 is a potential denial-of-service condition caused by application crashes when processing malicious files. This can disrupt business operations, especially for organizations relying heavily on Apple ecosystems for productivity, communication, or critical services. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and media, which often use macOS and iOS devices, may experience interruptions if attackers exploit this vulnerability to crash key applications. Although the vulnerability does not allow data theft or system compromise, repeated or targeted exploitation could degrade service availability and user productivity. Additionally, organizations that handle large volumes of files from external or untrusted sources are at higher risk. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity score and ease of triggering the crash via user interaction necessitate prompt patching to mitigate potential future attacks.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Deploy the latest Apple security updates promptly across all affected devices, including macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, and corresponding updates for iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS. 2) Enforce strict policies on file handling by restricting the acceptance and opening of files from untrusted or unknown sources, especially in email and messaging platforms. 3) Utilize endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous application crashes or suspicious file parsing behavior. 4) Educate users about the risks of opening unexpected or suspicious files and encourage verification before interacting with unknown attachments. 5) Implement application whitelisting or sandboxing where feasible to limit the impact of application crashes. 6) Monitor logs and system behavior for repeated application terminations that could indicate exploitation attempts. These targeted actions go beyond generic patching advice and focus on reducing exposure and impact in operational environments.