CVE-2025-24149 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s macOS and other Apple operating systems, including iPadOS, iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The root cause is an out-of-bounds read during the parsing of certain files, which can lead to the disclosure of user information. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read). The issue arises because the affected Apple OS versions do not sufficiently validate the bounds when processing specific file formats, allowing an attacker to craft a malicious file that, when parsed, causes the system to read memory outside the intended buffer. This memory may contain sensitive user data, leading to confidentiality breaches. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with the vector indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), no integrity or availability impact (I:N/A:N). The vulnerability affects multiple Apple OS versions, including macOS Ventura 13.7.3, Sonoma 14.7.3, Sequoia 15.3, iPadOS 17.7.4 and 18.3, iOS 18.3, watchOS 11.3, tvOS 18.3, and visionOS 2.3. Apple has fixed the issue by improving bounds checking during file parsing to prevent out-of-bounds memory reads. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, but the presence of user interaction as a requirement means attackers may attempt social engineering or phishing to deliver malicious files. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability but poses a risk to user privacy and confidentiality of sensitive information stored in memory during file parsing.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to confidentiality of user data on Apple devices. Organizations with employees or infrastructure relying on macOS, iOS, or other Apple OS platforms may face data leakage risks if users open maliciously crafted files. This could lead to exposure of sensitive personal or corporate information, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. 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 receive external content. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often use Apple devices and handle sensitive data, could be particularly impacted. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may see increased exposure. While the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could lead to reputational damage, compliance penalties, and targeted follow-on attacks leveraging leaked information.

European organizations should prioritize deploying the Apple security updates that address CVE-2025-24149 across all affected devices and OS versions. This includes macOS Ventura 13.7.3, Sonoma 14.7.3, Sequoia 15.3, iPadOS 17.7.4 and 18.3, iOS 18.3, watchOS 11.3, tvOS 18.3, and visionOS 2.3. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict file handling policies, including restricting or scanning files from untrusted sources before opening. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of opening unexpected or suspicious files, especially on Apple devices. Deploy endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous file parsing behavior. Network segmentation can limit lateral movement if a device is compromised. Monitoring for unusual user activity or data exfiltration attempts can help detect exploitation attempts. For high-risk environments, consider disabling or limiting file types that trigger the vulnerable parsing routines until patches are applied. Maintain an inventory of Apple devices and OS versions to ensure comprehensive coverage. Finally, ensure incident response plans include procedures for handling potential data disclosure incidents stemming from this vulnerability.