Vulnerability record · CVE-2025-24200 · published 10 February 2025
CVE-2025-24200: Apple iOS and iPadOS authorization flaw disables USB Restricted Mode
Apple · Ipados
An incorrect authorization issue in Apple iOS and iPadOS is addressed through improved state management. A physical attacker can disable USB Restricted Mode on a locked device, weakening the protection that normally blocks USB data access after a period of lock. Apple states the issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals.
Description
An authorization issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in iOS 15.8.4 and iPadOS 15.8.4, iOS 16.7.11 and iPadOS 16.7.11, iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1, iPadOS 17.7.5. A physical attack may disable USB Restricted Mode on a locked device. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals.
CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Automated analysis
high priorityIt is in CISA KEV with confirmed targeted exploitation, but requires physical access and has a medium CVSS score, limiting broad opportunistic abuse.
What it is
An incorrect authorization issue in Apple iOS and iPadOS is addressed through improved state management. A physical attacker can disable USB Restricted Mode on a locked device, weakening the protection that normally blocks USB data access after a period of lock. Apple states the issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals.
Impact
An attacker with physical possession of a locked device can turn off USB Restricted Mode, removing a key barrier to USB-based data extraction or brute-force tooling. This enables follow-on access to device data that the lock state is meant to protect.
Attack surface
The CVSS vector is AV:P with no privileges or user interaction required, meaning the attacker needs physical access to the device. It is not remotely reachable and does not require the victim to unlock or approve anything.
Exploitation
The vulnerability is listed in CISA KEV (added 2025-02-12), and Apple reports it may have been exploited in a targeted attack. EPSS 30-day probability is about 4.5 percent (90.9th percentile), and references are vendor advisories plus KEV, with no public exploit code tagged.
What to do
- Update to the fixed versions: iOS/iPadOS 18.3.1, 17.7.5, 16.7.11, or 15.8.4 as applicable to the device.
- Prioritize patching for devices used by at-risk individuals such as executives, journalists, and activists, per the KEV due date of 2025-03-05.
- Maintain strict physical control of locked devices and treat any period of unattended physical access as a potential compromise.
- If patching is not immediately possible, follow vendor guidance and consider discontinuing use of affected devices for high-risk users.
- Review mobile device management policy to confirm minimum OS versions and enforce update compliance.
Detection
- Audit fleet OS versions against the fixed builds and flag any device below iOS/iPadOS 18.3.1, 17.7.5, 16.7.11, or 15.8.4.
- Monitor for unexpected changes to USB Restricted Mode or accessory-related settings on locked devices.
- Correlate device forensic indicators of USB-based access attempts with periods of known physical access.
- Track KEV and vendor advisory updates for this CVE to catch newly published indicators.
This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.
Exploitation in the wild
CISA added CVE-2025-24200 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 12 February 2025 as "Apple iOS and iPadOS Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability". Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Federal deadline 5 March 2025.
Affected products
2 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.
References
| Link | Tags |
|---|---|
| https://support.apple.com/en-us/122173 | Release NotesVendor Advisory |
| https://support.apple.com/en-us/122174 | Release NotesVendor Advisory |
| https://support.apple.com/en-us/122345 | Release NotesVendor Advisory |
| https://support.apple.com/en-us/122346 | Release NotesVendor Advisory |
| http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/7 | Mailing ListThird Party Advisory |
| http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Feb/7 | Mailing ListThird Party Advisory |
| http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Feb/8 | Mailing ListThird Party Advisory |
| https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-24200 | US Government Resource |
Track CVE-2025-24200 inside VULONE
Watch it alongside the ransomware crews, C2 infrastructure and forum chatter that reference it, query it through the API and pull it into your SIEM over TAXII.
Related vulnerabilities
Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2025-24200), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.