CVE-2025-24162 is a vulnerability identified in Apple visionOS and several other Apple operating systems and browsers, including Safari 18.3, iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, and tvOS 18.3. The issue arises from improper state management when processing specially crafted web content, leading to an unexpected process crash. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125, indicating an out-of-bounds read condition, which typically occurs when a program reads data outside the bounds of allocated memory. The consequence of this flaw is a denial-of-service (DoS) condition, as the targeted process crashes unexpectedly, disrupting normal functionality. The vulnerability can be triggered remotely over the network (AV:N) without requiring any privileges (PR:N), but it does require user interaction (UI:R), such as visiting a malicious website or opening crafted web content. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable process and does not extend to other system components. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity level primarily due to the availability impact and ease of exploitation. Apple has addressed this vulnerability through improved state management in the specified software versions. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the potential for denial-of-service attacks exists if unpatched systems process malicious web content. This vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple platforms, indicating a systemic issue in how web content is handled across their ecosystem.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24162 is a denial-of-service condition affecting Apple devices running vulnerable versions of visionOS, Safari, iOS, iPadOS, macOS Sequoia, watchOS, and tvOS. This can disrupt business operations, especially in environments relying on Apple hardware for critical workflows or customer-facing services. While the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, repeated or targeted crashes could degrade user productivity and service availability. Organizations deploying visionOS, which is relatively new and may be adopted in specialized sectors such as augmented reality or advanced user interfaces, could face operational interruptions. Enterprises with large Apple device fleets, including mobile and desktop platforms, may experience widespread impact if malicious web content is encountered. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering could be vectors for exploitation, increasing risk in sectors with high user exposure to web content. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits post-disclosure. Overall, the impact is moderate but significant enough to warrant prompt remediation to maintain service continuity and user experience.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation strategies: 1) Prioritize immediate deployment of Apple’s security updates for visionOS 2.3, Safari 18.3, iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, and tvOS 18.3 to ensure all devices are patched against this vulnerability. 2) Enforce strict web content filtering and URL filtering policies to block access to suspicious or untrusted websites that could host maliciously crafted content. 3) Educate users on the risks of interacting with unknown or unsolicited web content, emphasizing caution with links received via email or messaging platforms. 4) Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for abnormal process crashes or unusual application behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) For organizations using visionOS in specialized applications, consider network segmentation and application whitelisting to limit exposure to untrusted web content. 6) Maintain robust incident response plans to quickly identify and remediate any denial-of-service incidents caused by this vulnerability. 7) Regularly audit device inventories to ensure all Apple devices are running supported and updated software versions. These targeted actions go beyond generic patching by incorporating user awareness, network controls, and monitoring tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.