EUVD-2025-9012

Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-9012

1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation

The vulnerability described in EUVD-2025-9012 pertains to an issue with incorrect association of a download's origin in Safari, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. This flaw can lead to significant security risks, as it may allow attackers to manipulate the perceived origin of downloaded files, potentially leading to unauthorized access or execution of malicious code.

Severity Evaluation:

• Base Score: 9.8 (Critical)
• Base Score Version: CVSS 3.1
• Base Score Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical vulnerability. The vector string highlights the following characteristics:

• Attack Vector (AV): Network (N)
• Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L)
• Privileges Required (PR): None (N)
• User Interaction (UI): None (N)
• Scope (S): Unchanged (U)
• Confidentiality (C): High (H)
• Integrity (I): High (H)
• Availability (A): High (H)

This high score underscores the potential for severe impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.

2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods

Given the nature of the vulnerability, potential attack vectors include:

• Phishing Attacks: Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to deliver malicious files disguised as legitimate downloads.
• Drive-by Downloads: Malicious websites could exploit this flaw to automatically download and execute harmful files without user interaction.
• Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: Attackers could intercept and modify downloads in transit, changing the origin information to deceive users and security mechanisms.

Exploitation Methods:

• Social Engineering: Tricking users into downloading files from compromised or malicious sources.
• Automated Scripts: Using scripts to exploit the vulnerability in large-scale attacks, targeting multiple users simultaneously.

3. Affected Systems and Software Versions

The vulnerability affects the following systems and software versions:

• Safari: Versions prior to 18.4
• iOS and iPadOS: Versions prior to 18.4
• macOS: Versions prior to 15.4 (Sequoia)

Users and organizations running these versions are at risk and should prioritize updating to the patched versions.

4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, the following strategies are recommended:

• Immediate Patching: Upgrade to the latest versions of Safari (18.4), iOS and iPadOS (18.4), and macOS Sequoia (15.4).
• User Education: Inform users about the risks of downloading files from untrusted sources and the importance of verifying file origins.
• Network Security: Implement robust network security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and secure web gateways to monitor and block suspicious activities.
• Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential security gaps.

5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape

The vulnerability poses a significant threat to the European cybersecurity landscape, particularly given the widespread use of Apple products in both personal and professional settings. The potential for large-scale exploitation could lead to data breaches, financial losses, and disruptions in critical services. Organizations and individuals must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing this vulnerability to maintain the integrity and security of their systems.

6. Technical Details for Security Professionals

Technical Analysis:

• Root Cause: The vulnerability stems from improper state management in handling download origins, leading to incorrect associations.
• Detection: Security professionals can use network monitoring tools to detect unusual download activities and verify the integrity of downloaded files.
• Response: In case of suspected exploitation, incident response teams should isolate affected systems, conduct forensic analysis, and implement containment measures to prevent further spread.

References:

• NVD CVE-2025-24167
• Apple Support Article 122371
• Apple Support Article 122373
• Apple Support Article 122379

Aliases:

• CVE-2025-24167
• GHSA-3h6v-4pff-pgf4

Assigner: Apple

ENISA IDs:

• iOS and iPadOS: 54d0cec0-41ce-3de3-90ec-7aa8e08b08e3
• macOS: 705599f9-e535-38e7-a2de-f8c8af8fe1ef
• Safari: d8126e21-3c7d-3dc8-a58a-8e311ef020f0

Vendor ID: ac51db2d-b952-338d-b34e-71596b75a044

By addressing this vulnerability promptly and comprehensively, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation and maintain a robust cybersecurity posture.