CVE-2025-24271 in visionOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2025
An access issue was addressed with improved access restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4. An unauthenticated user on the same network as a signed-in Mac could send it AirPlay commands without pairing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
This vulnerability represents a significant access control flaw in Apple's AirPlay implementation that affects multiple operating systems including macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, and various versions of iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS. The issue stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms that allow unauthorized network users to send AirPlay commands to signed-in Mac devices without requiring any pairing process or user verification. This access issue specifically impacts devices that are connected to the same local network as the target Mac, creating a potential attack surface where malicious actors could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized control over AirPlay functionality.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure in the AirPlay pairing and authentication protocol implementation, where the system does not properly validate the identity of users attempting to send AirPlay commands. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak access control mechanisms and can be classified as a CWE-284 Access Control issue, specifically related to insufficient authorization checks. The root cause appears to be the absence of proper authentication requirements that should normally be enforced before allowing remote AirPlay command execution, particularly when the target device is already signed in with a user account.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a serious security risk for users who have Mac devices connected to shared networks, particularly in enterprise environments, educational institutions, or public spaces where multiple devices share the same network infrastructure. An unauthenticated attacker could potentially execute arbitrary AirPlay commands, which might include screen mirroring requests, media playback controls, or even potentially malicious payloads that could be delivered through the AirPlay channel. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no prior authentication or pairing, making it accessible to anyone within the network range who understands the basic AirPlay protocol.
The mitigation strategy involves updating all affected devices to their respective patched versions, with Apple releasing updates for macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, iOS 18.4, and iPadOS 18.4. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict AirPlay traffic where possible, though this approach has limitations since the vulnerability exists within the device's own operating system implementation. Network administrators should consider disabling AirPlay functionality in environments where security is paramount, and users should be educated about the risks of connecting to untrusted networks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and lateral movement through network-based attacks, as it allows attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to user sessions and device controls through a previously unsecured network channel.