CVE-2025-24086: 
macOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-24086 is a security vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems, including iPadOS, macOS, iOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The vulnerability was discovered by DongJun Kim (@smlijun) and JongSeong Kim (@nevul37) from Enki WhiteHat, and D4m0n. It was disclosed on January 27, 2025, and affects the ImageIO component. The issue has been fixed in iPadOS 17.7.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, visionOS 2.3, iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, and tvOS 18.3 (Apple Security).

The vulnerability is related to memory handling issues in the ImageIO component. It has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 (Medium) with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction to be exploited. The issue was addressed by implementing improved memory handling mechanisms in the affected systems (NVD).

When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to a denial-of-service condition when processing images. This could result in application crashes or system instability in the affected Apple devices (Apple Security, NVD).

Apple has released security updates to address this vulnerability across their affected operating systems. Users are advised to update to iPadOS 17.7.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, visionOS 2.3, iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, or tvOS 18.3, depending on their device (Apple Security).