CVE-2025-24222 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS related to improper memory handling when processing web content. Specifically, it is categorized under CWE-119, which involves memory safety issues such as buffer overflows or improper memory access. This vulnerability can be triggered by maliciously crafted web content that, when processed by the system, leads to an unexpected process crash. The vulnerability affects macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.5, where Apple has implemented improved memory handling to address the issue. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H shows that the attack can be performed remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges, but does require user interaction (such as visiting a malicious website). The scope is unchanged, and the impact is limited to availability, causing denial of service by crashing processes. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, but the vulnerability could be leveraged to disrupt services or user workflows on affected macOS devices. The lack of confidentiality or integrity impact means data theft or manipulation is not a concern here, but availability disruption could affect business continuity. The vulnerability is relevant to any macOS user who processes web content, including browsers or embedded web views in applications. The fix is included in macOS Sequoia 15.5, which improves memory handling to prevent the crash. Organizations should prioritize patching to avoid potential denial of service attacks, especially in environments where macOS devices are critical. Additional mitigations include network filtering and user awareness to avoid malicious web content.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24222 is the potential for denial of service through unexpected process crashes on macOS devices. This can disrupt workflows, especially in sectors heavily reliant on Apple hardware such as creative industries, software development, and certain governmental or educational institutions. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, repeated crashes could lead to productivity losses and increased support costs. In environments where macOS devices are integral to operations, such as design studios or media companies, the availability impact could be significant. Additionally, if attackers combine this vulnerability with social engineering to lure users to malicious sites, the risk of disruption increases. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity score and ease of exploitation mean organizations should not delay remediation. For critical infrastructure or services using macOS, even temporary denial of service could have cascading effects. Overall, the impact is moderate but relevant for organizations with substantial macOS deployments in Europe.

1. Update all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.5 or later, which contains the fix for this vulnerability. 2. Implement network-level protections such as web filtering and intrusion prevention systems to block access to known malicious websites and suspicious web content. 3. Educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of avoiding clicking on unknown links or opening suspicious web content. 4. Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting abnormal process crashes or behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Monitor system logs and crash reports for unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. 6. For organizations using managed Apple devices, enforce patch management policies to ensure timely updates. 7. Consider deploying browser security extensions or sandboxing technologies to isolate web content processing. 8. Maintain regular backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential denial of service impacts.