CVE-2025-24104 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2025
This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, iPadOS 17.7.4. Restoring a maliciously crafted backup file may lead to modification of protected system files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical symlink handling flaw that emerged in Apple's iOS and iPadOS operating systems, specifically affecting versions prior to iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms when processing backup files that contain symbolic links, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized system file modification. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-641 as improper handling of symbolic links, which directly relates to the broader category of insecure symbolic link handling in Unix-like systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious backup files that contain carefully constructed symbolic links designed to point to protected system locations.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs during the backup restoration process when the operating system fails to properly validate or sanitize symbolic link references within backup archives. When a user restores a maliciously crafted backup, the system's inadequate symlink resolution logic allows these crafted links to traverse the filesystem and modify protected system files that should normally be restricted from modification by regular user processes. This flaw essentially bypasses the normal access control mechanisms that protect critical system components, creating a privilege escalation vector that can be leveraged to alter core operating system functionality. The vulnerability operates at the filesystem level and demonstrates a failure in the backup restoration subsystem's input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file modification, as it can potentially enable attackers to compromise the integrity of the entire operating system. Successful exploitation could allow malicious actors to modify system binaries, configuration files, or security-related components that maintain the device's integrity and security posture. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for malicious file execution through backup and restore processes, and represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where iOS devices are used for sensitive operations. The risk is particularly elevated in scenarios where users might unknowingly restore backup files from untrusted sources, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise device security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates to iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, which contain the necessary fixes for proper symlink validation during backup restoration. Organizations should implement strict backup file validation policies, particularly for any backup files that originate from external sources or third-party applications. System administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual file modification patterns during backup restoration operations and establish procedures for verifying the integrity and origin of backup files before restoration. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper symlink resolution validation that prevents maliciously crafted symbolic links from traversing system directories and modifying protected files, thereby strengthening the overall security boundary of the backup restoration process.