Protected filesystem modification via unchecked page zeroing
Published Mar 31, 2025 · Updated Apr 2, 2026
Improper validation in the Apple Kernel before the March 2025 platform updates allows local apps to modify protected file-system areas. The virtual-memory subsystem permits VM_BEHAVIOR_ZERO_WIRED_PAGES on a read-only shared mapping, then zeroes its backing page during unwiring without enforcing write permission. Execution of a locally installed app is required, and successful use can erase page-sized portions of protected files without granting arbitrary file contents or code execution.
Summary
What happened
Improper validation in the Apple Kernel before the March 2025 platform updates allows local apps to modify protected file-system areas. The virtual-memory subsystem permits VM_BEHAVIOR_ZERO_WIRED_PAGES on a read-only shared mapping, then zeroes its backing page during unwiring without enforcing write permission. Execution of a locally installed app is required, and successful use can erase page-sized portions of protected files without granting arbitrary file contents or code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-24203
- Published
- Mar 31, 2025
- Updated
- Apr 2, 2026
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- iOS and iPadOS
- Classifications
- T1565.001
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 31, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 2, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <18.4
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- dirtyZerofunctional · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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