iOS and iPadOS: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2025-24230 is a critical-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in iOS and iPadOS from Apple, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 18.4 as the first without the flaw, so updating iOS and iPadOS to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.92% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 80% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update iOS and iPadOS to 18.4 or a later version.
- Update iPadOS to 17.7.6 or a later version.
- Update macOS to 13.7.5 or 14.7.5 or 15.4, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on support.apple.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | iOS and iPadOS | before 18.4 | 18.4 |
| Apple | iPadOS | before 17.7.6 | 17.7.6 |
| Apple | macOS | before 13.7.5; before 14.7.5; before 15.4 | 13.7.5, 14.7.5, 15.4 |
| Apple | tvOS | before 18.4 | 18.4 |
| Apple | visionOS | before 2.4 | 2.4 |
| Apple | watchOS | before 11.4 | 11.4 |
| Apple | Iphone OS | before 18.4 | 18.4 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
An out-of-bounds read issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4, watchOS 11.4. Playing a malicious audio file may lead to an unexpected app termination.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other references
- support.apple.com/en-us/122376
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/10
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/11
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/12
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/13
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/4
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/5
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/8
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/9
Other vulnerabilities in iOS and iPadOS
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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