CVE-2025-31235 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS and related operating systems such as iPadOS 17.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.5, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.6. The issue stems from a double free bug, a type of memory management error where a program attempts to free the same memory location twice. This can lead to undefined behavior including memory corruption, crashes, or potential exploitation by attackers. In this case, the vulnerability allows a malicious app with limited privileges (local access with low complexity) to cause unexpected system termination, effectively a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), and low privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact is limited to availability (A:H) with no confidentiality or integrity impact. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple through improved memory management in the specified OS versions, mitigating the double free condition. The CWE classification is CWE-415 (Double Free).

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-31235 is the potential for local denial-of-service attacks on macOS systems. This could disrupt critical workflows, especially in environments where macOS devices are integral to operations such as creative industries, software development, and certain enterprise environments. While the vulnerability does not allow for data theft or system compromise beyond causing a crash, repeated or targeted exploitation could degrade system reliability and availability. Organizations relying on macOS for endpoint computing or servers could face productivity losses and increased support costs. The requirement for local access and low privileges means that attackers would need some foothold on the system, such as a compromised user account or malicious insider. This limits the risk from remote attackers but does not eliminate threats from insiders or malware that gains local execution. Given the medium severity, the impact is moderate but should not be ignored, especially in high-availability or security-sensitive contexts.

European organizations should prioritize updating affected Apple operating systems to the patched versions: iPadOS 17.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.5, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.6. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application control policies to prevent untrusted or unauthorized apps from executing, reducing the risk of local exploitation. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for abnormal app behavior or crashes indicative of exploitation attempts. Implement least privilege principles to limit user permissions and reduce the likelihood that a low-privilege user can trigger the vulnerability. Regularly audit macOS devices for compliance with security policies and monitor logs for signs of unexpected system terminations. Additionally, educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and maintain robust insider threat detection programs. Network segmentation can also limit the spread or impact of compromised devices.