CVE-2025-24252 is a critical use-after-free vulnerability affecting Apple tvOS and several other Apple operating systems including macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and visionOS 2.4. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management that allows an attacker on the local network to corrupt process memory. Use-after-free bugs occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior such as memory corruption, crashes, or execution of arbitrary code. In this case, the attacker does not require any privileges or user interaction to exploit the vulnerability, and the attack vector is network-based, increasing the risk of remote exploitation within local network environments. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 (critical) reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to full system compromise. Apple has addressed this issue by improving memory management in the affected operating systems, and users are advised to update to the patched versions to mitigate the risk. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the severity and ease of exploitation make this a significant threat, especially in environments where Apple devices are connected to shared or untrusted local networks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, particularly for those deploying Apple tvOS devices or other affected Apple products in enterprise or public network environments. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data breaches, or disruption of services relying on these devices. The local network attack vector means that attackers could leverage compromised or rogue devices within corporate or public Wi-Fi networks to target vulnerable Apple devices. This is especially concerning for sectors with high usage of Apple ecosystems such as media, education, hospitality, and corporate environments that use Apple hardware for presentations, digital signage, or communication. The potential for memory corruption and arbitrary code execution could also facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the scope of compromise. Additionally, the lack of required privileges or user interaction lowers the barrier for attackers, making it easier to exploit in real-world scenarios. The impact extends to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems, potentially resulting in data loss, espionage, or operational disruption.

European organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Apple devices by upgrading to the fixed versions: macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and visionOS 2.4. Network segmentation should be enforced to isolate Apple devices from untrusted or guest network segments to reduce exposure to local network attacks. Implement strict network access controls and monitor local network traffic for unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. Employ device management solutions to ensure compliance with patching policies and to quickly identify unpatched devices. Additionally, disable unnecessary network services on Apple devices to minimize attack surface. For environments with high security requirements, consider deploying network intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned to detect exploitation attempts targeting use-after-free vulnerabilities. Finally, educate IT staff and users about the risks of connecting Apple devices to untrusted networks and encourage the use of VPNs or secure communication channels when remote access is necessary.