CVE-2025-24179 is a vulnerability identified in multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS (Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura), tvOS, and visionOS. The root cause is a null pointer dereference (CWE-476) triggered by improper input validation in network-facing components. An attacker positioned on the same local network can exploit this flaw by sending crafted network packets that cause the affected system to dereference a null pointer, leading to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. This results in a crash or reboot of the device, disrupting normal operations. The vulnerability requires no privileges and no authentication but does require user interaction, likely in the form of network activity or accepting network connections. Apple has released patches in versions iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.3, and visionOS 2.3 to address this issue by improving input validation to prevent null pointer dereference. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.7, reflecting medium severity with attack vector as adjacent network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and impact limited to availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. This vulnerability primarily threatens availability of Apple devices on local networks, potentially disrupting user productivity and device reliability.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-24179 is denial-of-service on affected Apple devices, which can disrupt user activities and critical services relying on these devices. Organizations with large deployments of Apple hardware, especially in environments where devices are connected to shared local networks (e.g., corporate Wi-Fi, public hotspots), face increased risk of service interruptions. This can affect mobile workforce productivity, customer-facing services, and internal communications. Although the vulnerability does not expose confidential data or allow unauthorized access, repeated or targeted DoS attacks could degrade network reliability and user trust. In sectors such as healthcare, finance, or government where Apple devices are integrated into operational workflows, such disruptions could have operational and reputational consequences. The requirement for local network access limits the attack scope but does not eliminate risk in environments with insufficient network segmentation or untrusted users. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but patching remains critical to prevent future exploitation as proof-of-concept code may emerge.

Organizations should promptly update all affected Apple devices to the patched OS versions: iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3 and 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.3, Sonoma 14.7.5, Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.3, and visionOS 2.3. Network administrators should implement strict local network segmentation to limit exposure of Apple devices to untrusted users and devices. Employing network access controls such as VLANs, NAC solutions, and Wi-Fi client isolation can reduce the risk of local network attacks. Monitoring network traffic for unusual or malformed packets targeting Apple devices may help detect exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of connecting to untrusted local networks and encourage use of VPNs when accessing corporate resources remotely. Disable unnecessary network services on Apple devices to minimize attack surface. Regularly audit device OS versions and patch compliance to ensure timely remediation. Incident response plans should include procedures for detecting and mitigating DoS conditions on Apple devices.