CVE-2025-24132 is a vulnerability identified in Apple's AirPlay audio SDK that allows an attacker on the local network to cause an unexpected application termination, effectively resulting in a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The root cause of this vulnerability is related to improper memory handling, classified under CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer). This type of vulnerability typically arises when the software does not correctly validate or manage memory buffers, leading to potential crashes or unpredictable behavior. The affected components include the AirPlay audio SDK, AirPlay video SDK, and CarPlay Communication Plug-in, with fixed versions released as AirPlay audio SDK 2.7.1, AirPlay video SDK 3.6.0.126, and CarPlay Communication Plug-in R18.1. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), with the vector indicating that the attack requires local network access (AV:A), has low attack complexity (AC:L), requires no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts availability only (A:H) without affecting confidentiality or integrity. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, making it easier to exploit within a local network environment. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential for disruption exists, especially in environments where AirPlay-enabled devices are prevalent. The vulnerability's impact is limited to causing application crashes rather than data compromise or remote code execution, but it could disrupt audio streaming services or CarPlay functionality, affecting user experience and operational continuity.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24132 lies in service availability disruption. Enterprises and consumers relying on Apple AirPlay technology for audio streaming, conference room setups, or in-vehicle infotainment systems (via CarPlay) may experience unexpected application crashes, leading to interruptions in communication or media playback. In corporate environments, this could affect meeting rooms equipped with AirPlay-enabled devices, potentially disrupting presentations or collaborative sessions. Automotive manufacturers and service providers integrating CarPlay may face user dissatisfaction or operational issues if the communication plug-in crashes unexpectedly. Although the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, repeated or targeted exploitation could degrade trust in Apple’s ecosystem devices and services. Additionally, organizations with strict uptime requirements or those in sectors such as hospitality, education, or transportation that utilize AirPlay extensively may see operational impacts. The requirement for local network access limits the threat to attackers who have penetrated or are physically present within the same network segment, which somewhat reduces the risk for remote attacks but highlights the importance of securing internal networks.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Prioritize updating all Apple AirPlay audio SDK, AirPlay video SDK, and CarPlay Communication Plug-in components to the fixed versions (AirPlay audio SDK 2.7.1, AirPlay video SDK 3.6.0.126, CarPlay Communication Plug-in R18.1) as soon as possible. 2) Implement network segmentation to isolate AirPlay-enabled devices from general user networks, reducing the risk of local network attackers reaching these devices. 3) Employ strict access controls and monitoring on local networks, including the use of network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) to identify unusual traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4) Enforce strong Wi-Fi security protocols (WPA3 where possible) and limit guest network access to prevent unauthorized devices from joining the local network. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of local network attacks and encourage vigilance regarding unknown devices connecting to internal networks. 6) Regularly audit and inventory AirPlay-enabled devices to ensure all are updated and monitored. 7) For automotive and embedded systems using CarPlay, coordinate with vendors and suppliers to ensure timely patch deployment and consider additional in-vehicle network protections to limit exposure.