CVE-2025-24235 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
A memory initialization issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5. A remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected app termination or heap corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2025
This vulnerability represents a memory initialization flaw that affects multiple versions of apple's operating systems including macos ventura 13.7.5, macos sequoia 15.4, and macos sonoma 14.7.5. The issue stems from inadequate memory handling during application initialization processes which can lead to unpredictable system behavior. According to industry standards, this vulnerability aligns with cwe-457 which describes uninitialized memory access conditions that can result in information disclosure or system instability. The flaw manifests when applications fail to properly initialize memory segments before accessing them, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit memory initialization gaps that may result in application crashes or more severe heap corruption scenarios. When applications do not properly initialize memory regions, they may inadvertently expose sensitive data or create conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory locations. This type of memory corruption can potentially enable privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution depending on the specific application context. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack technique described in mitre att&ck matrix under tactic ta0005 (defense evasion) and technique t1070.004 (indicator removal on host).
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to potentially compromise entire system security postures. When applications experience unexpected termination due to memory initialization issues, it can create denial of service conditions that may be exploited by attackers to disrupt normal system operations. Heap corruption scenarios present even greater risks as they can allow attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute malicious code within the context of legitimate applications. System administrators must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability when assessing risk exposure across enterprise environments where multiple macos systems may be running vulnerable versions.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate deployment of the patched versions mentioned in the advisory including macos ventura 13.7.5, macos sequoia 15.4, and macos sonoma 14.7.5. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems receive updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include monitoring system logs for unusual application termination patterns and implementing memory integrity checks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management practices in software development and underscores the need for robust input validation and initialization routines. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific memory initialization weakness.