CVE-2025-24224 is a vulnerability identified in Apple iPadOS and other Apple operating systems that allows a remote attacker to cause unexpected system termination, leading to denial-of-service (DoS) conditions. The root cause is an improper check for unusual or exceptional conditions (CWE-754), which means the system fails to correctly validate certain inputs or states, allowing crafted remote inputs to crash the device. This vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, making it remotely exploitable over the network with low complexity. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 reflects a high severity due to the impact on availability (A:H), with no impact on confidentiality or integrity. Affected products include iPadOS, iOS, tvOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS, with patches released in their respective latest versions (e.g., iPadOS 18.5 and 17.7.9). The vulnerability was reserved in January 2025 and published in July 2025. Although there are no known exploits in the wild yet, the potential for disruption is significant, especially in environments relying heavily on Apple devices for critical operations. The fix involves improved validation checks to prevent the system from entering an unstable state that leads to termination. This vulnerability highlights the importance of timely patching and monitoring for anomalous network activity targeting Apple platforms.

For European organizations, the primary impact is on system availability, as the vulnerability allows remote attackers to crash Apple devices unexpectedly. This can disrupt business operations, especially in sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, and government, where iPads and other Apple devices are widely used for critical tasks. The lack of confidentiality or integrity impact means data theft or manipulation is not a concern here, but repeated crashes could lead to operational downtime, loss of productivity, and potential cascading effects if devices are part of larger automated or communication systems. Organizations relying on Apple ecosystems for remote work or customer-facing services may experience service interruptions. Additionally, denial-of-service conditions could be exploited as part of multi-vector attacks or to create distractions for other malicious activities. The absence of required authentication and user interaction increases the risk of widespread exploitation if attackers develop automated tools. European entities must consider the operational risks and prioritize patch deployment to mitigate potential disruptions.

1. Immediately update all affected Apple devices to the patched versions: iPadOS 18.5 or 17.7.9, iOS 18.5, tvOS 18.5, macOS Sequoia 15.5, watchOS 11.5, visionOS 2.5, and macOS Ventura 13.7.7. 2. Implement network-level filtering to restrict unsolicited inbound traffic to Apple devices, especially from untrusted networks, to reduce exposure to remote exploitation attempts. 3. Monitor network traffic and device logs for unusual connection attempts or crash patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting abnormal process terminations or system crashes on Apple devices. 5. Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability and the importance of rapid patch management for Apple ecosystems. 6. For organizations with critical Apple device deployments, consider temporary segmentation or isolation until patches are applied. 7. Maintain up-to-date asset inventories to ensure all Apple devices are identified and patched promptly. 8. Coordinate with Apple support channels for any additional guidance or updates related to this vulnerability.