Apple Issues Emergency Fixes After Discovery of Critical Zero-Day Exploits
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Apple has issued urgent software updates to address three serious security flaws that are reportedly being used in real-world attacks. The vulnerabilities—tracked as CVE-2025-24200, CVE-2025-24201, and CVE-2025-24085—impact a wide range of devices including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and the Vision Pro headset.
Security researchers are calling this one of the most concerning exploit chains seen this year, given the level of sophistication involved and the high-value targets being aimed at.
Three Vulnerabilities, One Purpose: Silent Exploitation
Each of the three security holes targets a different component of Apple’s ecosystem. Taken together, they form a potential toolkit for attackers to bypass system protections, escalate privileges, and access sensitive information without user interaction.
CVE-2025-24200: USB Restricted Mode Bypass
This vulnerability is particularly alarming as it allows an attacker with physical access to an iOS device to disable USB Restricted Mode. That mode, which was introduced in 2018, limits USB data access when a device hasn’t been unlocked for a certain period.
The flaw was discovered by Bill Marczak, a senior researcher at The Citizen Lab, and is believed to have been used in targeted espionage campaigns. Apple confirmed that it was exploited in “highly sophisticated attacks”.
CVE-2025-24201: WebKit Escape
The second flaw affects WebKit, the engine behind Safari and many iOS apps. It involves an out-of-bounds write issue that can allow malicious web content to escape the confines of the browser sandbox.
What’s more troubling is Apple’s note that this bug builds on a previously blocked exploit in iOS 17.2. In other words, attackers are finding clever ways to bypass even recent defenses.
CVE-2025-24085: CoreMedia Exploit
The third vulnerability centers around CoreMedia, Apple’s multimedia framework. A “use-after-free” memory bug could allow a malicious app to gain elevated privileges, potentially granting access to parts of the system normally off-limits.
This exploit appears to have been used on older versions of iOS before 17.2 but could still pose a threat to unpatched devices today.
Apple’s Response and Urgent Updates
In response to these threats, Apple has pushed out a series of patches across its platforms. Here’s what you need to do:
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iPhones/iPads: Update to iOS 18.3 / iPadOS 18.3 or later
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Macs: Upgrade to macOS Sequoia 15.3
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Apple Watch: Install watchOS 11.3
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Apple TV: Update to tvOS 18.3
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Vision Pro: Apply the visionOS 2.3 patch
You can find these updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update and tapping Download and Install. Enabling automatic updates is highly recommended to stay ahead of future threats.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
In addition to installing patches, cybersecurity experts recommend the following steps:
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Steer clear of clicking on suspicious links or downloading unfamiliar apps.
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Enable Lockdown Mode on supported devices for enhanced protection
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Keep an eye on device behavior, such as overheating, rapid battery drain, or random restarts
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Be cautious with public Wi-Fi and external accessories
FAQs
1. Who discovered these flaws?
Bill Marczak of The Citizen Lab identified at least one of the vulnerabilities. Apple has not disclosed all contributors but acknowledged outside researchers.
2. Were regular users affected?
While most attacks targeted specific individuals, anyone with an unpatched device remains at risk.
3. Can antivirus software prevent these exploits?
Most traditional antivirus tools won’t catch zero-day exploits. Your best defense is to keep your software up to date.
4. Do these vulnerabilities impact older Apple devices?
Yes, particularly devices running iOS versions before 17.2. Older models that no longer receive updates may be at continued risk.
5. Is this connected to spyware or state-sponsored attacks?
While Apple hasn’t confirmed attribution, the nature of the attacks suggests involvement from well-resourced threat actors.
6. What is Apple doing to prevent this in the future?
Apple continues to invest in exploit mitigations and has encouraged researchers to report vulnerabilities through its Security Bounty program.
How Technijian Can Help You Stay Secure
Technijian specializes in helping businesses and individuals stay one step ahead of cyber threats—especially in today’s world of fast-moving, highly targeted exploits.
Here’s how we can support you:
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Managed Apple Device Security: We’ll monitor your fleet of Apple devices to ensure timely patching and compliance
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Real-Time Threat Detection: Get alerts the moment something suspicious happens
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Custom Lockdown Mode Rollouts: Enable deeper protection for high-risk users like executives and developers
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24/7 Incident Response: If you’re under attack, our experts are on call to respond immediately
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Cybersecurity Audits & Staff Training: Empower your team to spot threats before they do damage
Whether you’re a startup or a large enterprise, Technijian delivers peace of mind when it matters most.
About Technijian
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