Apple recently patched a serious vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-24201, which affects WebKit—the engine behind Safari. This flaw allows malicious web content to break out of the Web Content sandbox, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or device compromise.

What makes this CVE especially dangerous is that it’s a zero-day vulnerability that has reportedly been exploited in highly targeted attacks. These attacks focused on users running iOS versions before 17.2, showcasing just how sophisticated modern spyware campaigns have become.

Key Details:• CVE ID: CVE-2025-24201 • Affected Component: WebKit • Platform: iOS/macOS (primarily iOS) • Impact: Sandbox escape, potential full device takeover • Exploitation Status: Actively exploited in the wild • Patch Status: Fixed in iOS 17.2

Technical Breakdown:
While Apple hasn’t released deep technical specifics (likely due to the active exploitation), researchers have noted that the exploit involves manipulating WebAssembly and JIT compilation to corrupt memory and escalate privileges.

This kind of sandbox escape would typically require a chain of vulnerabilities — one for code execution in the browser, and another to escape the sandbox, which means this CVE could be part of a multi-stage attack.

Attack Scenario:
A victim visits a malicious website or opens a compromised link. The webpage executes crafted WebAssembly code which triggers the sandbox escape, allowing the attacker to run arbitrary code on the device outside Safari’s protection layer. This can then be used to drop surveillance malware, access messages, microphone, camera, etc.

Protection & Mitigation:• Update to iOS 17.2 or macOS equivalent immediately • Enable Lockdown Mode on iOS for high-risk users (journalists, activists, etc.) • Avoid clicking unknown or untrusted links, especially from suspicious SMS or email sources • Consider using third-party browsers with additional security layers

Final Thoughts:
The exploitation of CVE-2025-24201 highlights the increasing sophistication of modern cyber-espionage groups. For defenders, staying patched is critical, but so is understanding the evolving landscape of zero-day threats, particularly in mobile environments.