Attention all iPadOS and iOS users! A new security vulnerability (CVE-2025-24104) has been discovered that could be exploited by cybercriminals to modify protected system files on your devices. This issue arises when you restore a maliciously crafted backup file onto your iPad or iPhone. The good news is that Apple has acknowledged this issue and has already addressed it with improved symlink handling in the latest software updates: iPadOS 17.7.4, iOS 18.3, and iPadOS 18.3.

In this post, we will explain the details of this vulnerability, showcase a simple demo code snippet, and provide some crucial connections to the original references, as well as discuss the process of exploiting this vulnerability.

Exploit Details

The main issue here is the improper handling of symlinks (symbolic links) when restoring a backup file to iPhone and iPad devices. A symlink is basically a file that points to the location of another file, and when the system accesses the symlink, it reads or modifies the file it references.

By creating a malicious backup file with crafted symlinks, an attacker could potentially trick the system into reading or modifying protected system files when restoring the backup. This could lead to unauthorized access, manipulation, or exposure of sensitive information.

Here's a simple code snippet demonstrating how a malicious symlink might be crafted within a backup file:

import os

# The malicious symlink pointing to a protected system file
malicious_symlink = "/Users/username/Backup/symlink_exploit"
target_system_file = "/System/Library/ProtectedFile/Example"

os.symlink(target_system_file, malicious_symlink)

Apple has officially acknowledged and documented this security vulnerability (CVE-2025-24104) in their security content page:

- Apple Security Advisory: "Restoring a maliciously crafted backup file may lead to modification of protected system files."
- CVE-2025-24104 Details: MITRE's CVE Entry for this vulnerability

How to Prevent Exploitation

To safeguard your iPhone or iPad from this vulnerability, it is highly recommended that you update your device to the latest software version, specifically iPadOS 17.7.4, iOS 18.3, or iPadOS 18.3.

If an update is available, follow the on-screen prompts to download and install it.

Furthermore, to reduce the risk of inadvertently using a malicious backup file, always ensure that you only download, create, and restore backup files from trusted sources. Avoid using suspicious third-party tools or backup files from unverified sources.

Conclusion

Although the chances of being targeted by this specific exploit may be relatively low for an average user, it is always wise to ensure your devices are running the latest software versions and receiving security patches. By proactively updating your device and being cautious about the sources of your backup files, you can protect your sensitive data and maintain the integrity of your Apple device.

Timeline

Published on: 01/27/2025 22:15:15 UTC
Last modified on: 02/05/2025 15:15:22 UTC