CVE-2025-24151 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows a local application to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory due to improper memory handling, classified under CWE-400 (Uncontrolled Resource Consumption). The issue arises from insufficient safeguards in the kernel’s memory management routines, which an app can exploit to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition or potentially destabilize the system by corrupting kernel memory. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction but does not require elevated privileges, making it accessible to any user-level app that can be executed on the system. The affected macOS versions are unspecified but include those prior to the patched releases: macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, where Apple has implemented improved memory handling to address the flaw. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium), reflecting low attack vector (local), low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction, and impacting availability only (no confidentiality or integrity impact). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating limited active exploitation currently. However, the potential for denial of service through system crashes or kernel instability could disrupt operations. The vulnerability’s root cause relates to resource exhaustion or memory corruption risks in kernel components, which if exploited, could cause system reboots or unpredictable behavior. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust kernel memory management and the risks posed by local unprivileged apps interacting with sensitive system components.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24151 is operational disruption due to potential system crashes or kernel instability on macOS devices. This can lead to denial of service conditions affecting end-user productivity, critical business applications, or services running on macOS endpoints. Since the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, data breaches are unlikely; however, availability loss can still cause significant business impact, especially in environments relying heavily on macOS systems for daily operations. Organizations with large macOS deployments, such as creative industries, software development firms, and certain governmental agencies, may experience increased risk. Additionally, the need for user interaction to trigger the vulnerability means social engineering or malicious insiders could exploit it. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits post-disclosure. Failure to patch promptly could expose organizations to targeted attacks aiming to disrupt operations or cause system instability.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to the fixed versions: Ventura 13.7.3, Sequoia 15.3, or Sonoma 14.7.3. Patch management processes must ensure rapid deployment of these updates across the enterprise. Restricting the execution of untrusted or unsigned applications can reduce the risk of exploitation, as the vulnerability requires local app execution with user interaction. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to control software execution. Educate users about the risks of running unverified applications and the importance of avoiding suspicious prompts that could trigger the vulnerability. Monitor system logs and endpoint behavior for signs of abnormal crashes or instability that could indicate exploitation attempts. For high-security environments, consider limiting local user permissions and enforcing strict access controls to reduce the attack surface. Regularly review and audit macOS systems for compliance with security policies and patch status. Since no known exploits exist yet, proactive defense and rapid patching remain the best mitigation strategy.