CVE-2025-24143 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2025
The issue was addressed with improved access restrictions to the file system. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3, Safari 18.3, iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, visionOS 2.3. A maliciously crafted webpage may be able to fingerprint the user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2025
This vulnerability represents a significant security weakness in Apple's operating systems and web browser that could enable malicious actors to identify and track users through sophisticated fingerprinting techniques. The issue stems from inadequate access restrictions within the file system architecture, creating potential entry points for attackers to gather information about user environments. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including macOS Sequoia 15.3, Safari 18.3, iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and visionOS 2.3, indicating a systemic flaw that requires comprehensive remediation across Apple's ecosystem. The security implications extend beyond simple data collection as this type of fingerprinting can be used for persistent tracking and user identification across different sessions and applications.
The technical flaw manifests through improper file system access controls that allow malicious webpages to probe system characteristics and user configurations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE category of insufficient access control, specifically CWE-284 which addresses inadequate access control mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially designed web content that attempts to access or enumerate file system resources that should normally be restricted to authorized processes only. The vulnerability enables what cybersecurity professionals refer to as browser fingerprinting, where multiple attributes of a user's device and browser configuration are collected to create a unique profile that can track user behavior across the internet.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends to user privacy and security across Apple's platform ecosystem. Users may experience increased tracking by third-party services, advertisers, and potentially malicious actors who can leverage this information to build comprehensive user profiles. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability can be exploited through web pages, making it accessible to anyone browsing the internet without requiring any special privileges or additional malware installation. This type of attack aligns with the tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1531 technique for "Create or Modify System Process" and T1557 for "Adversary-in-the-Middle" where attackers can manipulate system access controls to gain unauthorized information gathering capabilities.
The fix implemented by Apple addresses the core access restriction issue by strengthening file system permissions and implementing additional security controls that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system information. This remediation approach follows established security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, ensuring that applications and web content cannot access system resources beyond their legitimate requirements. Users should immediately update to the patched versions of their respective Apple operating systems to protect against potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be actively exploited in the wild. The security community has noted that this type of vulnerability often serves as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, making prompt remediation essential for maintaining overall system security and user privacy protection.