CVE-2025-24163 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS and other Apple operating systems including iPadOS, visionOS, watchOS, and tvOS. The issue arises from improper parsing of certain files, which can lead to unexpected application termination, effectively causing a denial-of-service condition. The root cause is insufficient validation or handling of file content during parsing, which triggers a crash in the affected application. The vulnerability does not allow for unauthorized data access or modification, thus confidentiality and integrity remain intact. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, as the victim must open or process a maliciously crafted file. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting low attack vector (local), low complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction needed, and impact limited to availability. Apple has released patches in macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, iPadOS 17.7.4 and 18.3, iOS 18.3, watchOS 11.3, and tvOS 18.3 to address this issue by implementing improved input validation and error handling during file parsing. No public exploits or active attacks have been reported to date. This vulnerability primarily affects users of Apple devices running unpatched versions of the affected operating systems.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24163 is the potential for denial-of-service conditions caused by application crashes when processing malicious files. This can disrupt business operations, especially in environments relying heavily on Apple devices for critical workflows or customer-facing applications. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, repeated or targeted exploitation could degrade service availability and user productivity. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and media that utilize macOS and related Apple platforms may face operational interruptions if attackers deliver crafted files via email, removable media, or internal file sharing. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or phishing campaigns could still leverage this vulnerability. Additionally, the presence of unpatched devices in corporate networks increases the risk of widespread disruption. Therefore, the impact is moderate but significant enough to warrant timely remediation to maintain service continuity and user trust.

To mitigate CVE-2025-24163, European organizations should prioritize deploying the security updates released by Apple for macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, iPadOS 17.7.4 and 18.3, iOS 18.3, watchOS 11.3, and tvOS 18.3. Patch management processes must ensure all Apple devices are updated promptly to eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement strict controls on file sources by enforcing policies that restrict opening files from untrusted or unknown origins, especially in email and removable media contexts. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files to reduce the likelihood of user interaction leading to exploitation. Endpoint protection solutions can be configured to detect and block suspicious file parsing activities. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be applied to limit local access to critical systems. Regular vulnerability scanning and asset inventory will help identify unpatched devices. Finally, incident response plans should include procedures for handling denial-of-service events caused by application crashes to minimize operational impact.