Full Report
Apple has released critical security updates to address an actively exploited zero-day vulnerability. Gain insight into the details of the incident in this threat advisory.
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Actively Exploited Privilege Escalation in Apple Core Media Framework
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-24085
- CVSS Score: Not specified in detail, but implied Critical due to active exploitation.
- CWE: Not specified in detail, likely related to Improper Access Control or Memory Corruption within the framework.
## Affected Systems
- Products: iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, Apple Vision Pro.
- Versions: Specific patched versions not listed, but vulnerable versions are implied to be prior to the latest security updates.
- iPhones: XS and newer
- iPads: 7th generation and later
- Macs: macOS Sequoia systems
- Apple Watches: Series 6 and later
- Configurations: Any device running the affected software versions where a malicious application is installed.
## Vulnerability Description
CVE-2025-24085 is a privilege escalation vulnerability residing within Apple’s **Core Media framework**. If successfully exploited, a malicious application already present on the device can elevate its own privileges. This elevated access could enable the attacker to access sensitive data, achieve system compromise, or execute further malicious actions on the endpoint.
## Exploitation
- Status: **Exploited in the wild** (Zero-day actively exploited)
- Complexity: Not explicitly stated, but active exploitation suggests **Medium** to **Low** complexity for targeted attackers.
- Attack Vector: Implied **Local** access following application installation, leading to escalation without further network interaction needed for the core vulnerability trigger.
## Impact
- Confidentiality: **High** (Potential unauthorized access to sensitive data)
- Integrity: **High** (Potential system compromise)
- Availability: **Medium** (Potential for localized denial of service or system instability)
## Remediation
### Patches
- **Update affected devices to the latest security software versions** released by Apple to address CVE-2025-24085. (Specific version numbers are not provided in the advisory.)
### Workarounds
- Enforce policies that **prevent the installation of apps from untrusted sources**, limiting downloads exclusively to the Apple App Store.
- **Audit devices for unauthorized or suspicious applications and remove them**.
- Configure devices to **automatically download and install security updates** to minimize future exposure.
## Detection
- **Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):** Not explicitly detailed, but monitoring for unexpected privilege changes or system behavior immediately following an app installation or update attempt is recommended.
- **Detection Methods and Tools:** Monitoring Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) or Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) solutions for unusual process behavior or unauthorized attempts to access protected system resources, particularly related to media processing components.
## References
- [https://thehackernews.com/2025/01/apple-patches-actively-exploited-zero.html?m=1](https://thehackernews.com/2025/01/apple-patches-actively-exploited-zero.html?m=1)
- [https://securityonline.info/cve-2025-24085-apple-patches-actively-exploited-zero-day-vulnerability/](https://securityonline.info/cve-2025-24085-apple-patches-actively-exploited-zero-day-vulnerability/)
- [https://www.securityweek.com/apple-patches-first-exploited-ios-zero-day-of-2025/](https://www.securityweek.com/apple-patches-first-exploited-ios-zero-day-of-2025/)
- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-24085](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-24085)