CVE-2025-24139 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that arises from improper handling of maliciously crafted files during parsing, leading to unexpected application termination. The root cause is linked to a memory safety issue classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), which can cause applications to crash unexpectedly when processing specially crafted input files. This vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: Ventura 13.7.3, Sequoia 15.3, and Sonoma 14.7.3. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved input validation and boundary checks during file parsing routines. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects a high severity, with an attack vector of local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating that exploitation could lead to significant data exposure, modification, or denial of service via application crashes. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk especially if combined with other attack vectors or privilege escalation techniques. The vulnerability primarily affects applications that parse files on macOS, which could include email clients, document viewers, or other software handling user files. The lack of detailed affected versions suggests a broad impact across multiple macOS releases before the fixed versions. This vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation and memory safety in file parsing components.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to significant operational disruptions if critical applications crash unexpectedly upon processing malicious files. The high impact on confidentiality and integrity suggests that attackers might leverage this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain to exfiltrate sensitive data or corrupt information. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and technology that rely on macOS devices could face increased risk of downtime and data breaches. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users frequently exchange files or download content from untrusted sources. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate threat but does not preclude future exploitation. The vulnerability may also affect endpoint stability and user productivity, increasing support costs and potential compliance issues under regulations like GDPR if data confidentiality is compromised.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to the fixed versions Ventura 13.7.3, Sequoia 15.3, or Sonoma 14.7.3 as soon as possible. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict controls on file sources, including disabling or restricting automatic file parsing in email clients and document viewers. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying abnormal application crashes or suspicious file parsing behaviors. User education is critical to reduce the risk of opening untrusted files, emphasizing phishing awareness and safe file handling practices. Network segmentation can limit the spread of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should audit and monitor logs for unusual application terminations or crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. Where feasible, sandboxing or application isolation techniques can reduce the impact of crashes and prevent escalation. Finally, maintain an inventory of macOS devices and ensure compliance with patch management policies to reduce exposure.