CVE-2025-24190 is a critical memory handling vulnerability found in Apple tvOS and other Apple operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. The flaw arises when the system processes a maliciously crafted video file, which can lead to unexpected application termination or corruption of process memory. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-400, indicating a resource exhaustion or memory corruption issue. The root cause involves improper memory management during video file processing, which attackers can exploit remotely without requiring any privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, reflecting its critical nature with attack vector network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Apple has addressed this issue in multiple OS updates including tvOS 18.4, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and visionOS 2.4. The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker sending a specially crafted video file to a vulnerable device, potentially leading to remote code execution or denial of service by crashing critical applications or corrupting memory. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the severity and ease of exploitation make this a significant threat. Organizations relying on Apple devices for media consumption, digital signage, or enterprise applications should prioritize patching to prevent exploitation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24190 can be substantial, especially for those using Apple tvOS devices in corporate environments, digital signage, or media streaming infrastructures. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain control over affected devices, steal sensitive information, or disrupt services by causing application crashes or system instability. This can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical business systems. The vulnerability's network attack vector and lack of required privileges or user interaction increase the risk of widespread exploitation. Industries such as media, entertainment, retail, and corporate sectors using Apple ecosystems are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, organizations involved in critical infrastructure or government services using Apple devices may face operational disruptions or data breaches. The broad range of affected Apple operating systems means that the threat surface extends beyond tvOS to mobile and desktop devices, increasing potential impact across multiple device types within organizations.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation measures: 1) Immediately deploy the security updates released by Apple for tvOS 18.4, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and visionOS 2.4 to all affected devices. 2) Enforce strict network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure of Apple devices to untrusted networks or sources that could deliver malicious video files. 3) Implement content filtering and scanning for video files entering corporate networks or endpoints to detect and block potentially malicious media. 4) Educate users and administrators about the risks of opening or processing untrusted video files, even on Apple devices. 5) Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected application crashes or memory errors. 6) For organizations using Apple devices in critical roles, consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting memory corruption or anomalous process behavior. 7) Maintain an inventory of all Apple devices and ensure timely patch management processes are in place to rapidly address future vulnerabilities.