Threat Intelligence: Apple Devices Exposed to Zero-Click Attacks via AirPlay - D1 Defend D1 Defend

For years, Apple has maintained a reputation for airtight security. But a recently discovered set of 23 vulnerabilities, collectively dubbed “AirBorne,” has revealed just how exposed Apple ecosystems can be—especially in the hands of cybercriminals.

These flaws target Apple’s AirPlay feature—a technology found in iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, and even third-party devices. What’s worse? Several of the vulnerabilities support zero-click exploitation—meaning an attacker could compromise your device without any user interaction.

This isn’t just a privacy issue—it’s a full-blown business risk. From ransomware to lateral network infiltration, the AirBorne vulnerabilities open the door to devastating attacks.

At D1 Defend, we’re working with our clients and trusted partners to secure affected Apple environments before attackers strike. Here’s what you need to know—and do.

🛑 What Is the Apple AirPlay “AirBorne” Exploit?

Researchers have disclosed 23 distinct CVEs affecting Apple AirPlay and the AirPlay SDK used by third-party manufacturers. The vulnerabilities span a range of exploitation techniques including:

• RCE (Remote Code Execution)
• AITM (Adversary in the Middle)
• DoS (Denial of Service)
• ACL (Access Control List) bypass

Most alarming is the discovery that attackers can chain specific vulnerabilities together to create a wormable zero-click exploit—capable of jumping from device to device within the same network.

🔥 Key Vulnerabilities to Know

• CVE-2025-24252
  A use-after-free vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8, this flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on a target device.
• CVE-2025-24132
  A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability rated at CVSS 6.5, capable of supporting denial-of-service and memory corruption attacks.

These vulnerabilities can be weaponized together to gain persistent access, bypass MFA, and move laterally within enterprise networks—making them extremely valuable in ransomware and supply-chain attack scenarios.

📱 Affected Devices

Any Apple or third-party device using AirPlay or its SDK may be vulnerable:

• iPhones & iPads
• macOS systems (Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia)
• Apple Vision Pro
• AirPlay-enabled speakers, TVs, projectors
• Cars with Apple CarPlay
• Smart home devices using AirPlay SDKs

🧨 What’s at Stake

If left unpatched, these vulnerabilities enable attackers to:

• Take control of devices silently
• Harvest and exfiltrate sensitive information
• Drop ransomware or other malware payloads
• Move laterally across your internal network
• Intercept communication via AirPlay or screen mirroring

This type of exploit can bypass traditional endpoint security, especially in hybrid or BYOD environments where Apple devices are commonly used for work.

✅ What You Need to Do Now

To secure your business environment against the AirBorne threat, D1 Defend recommends the following actions:

1. Apply All Apple Security Updates Immediately
Apple has released patches in their latest OS versions. Make sure the following versions are installed across your organization:

• iPhones & iPads – iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4
• Macs – macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4
• Apple Vision Pro – visionOS 2.4
• AirPlay Audio SDK – version 2.7.1
• AirPlay Video SDK – version 3.6.0.126
• CarPlay Plug-in – R18.1

2. Review and Restrict AirPlay Settings
Disable AirPlay where it isn’t needed, or restrict it to trusted devices only.

For enterprise environments:

• Turn off AirPlay reception on shared devices
• Block peer-to-peer AirPlay via MDM policies
• Restrict AirDrop and screen mirroring in public or unsecured locations

3. Harden Your Network Against Lateral Movement
Even if only one device is compromised, attackers can move across your internal network if proper segmentation and monitoring aren’t in place.

We recommend:

• Implementing VLAN separation for personal/guest/IoT devices
• Deploying EDR agents on all macOS/iOS endpoints
• Using Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) principles to isolate device permissions

4. Educate Your Users
The AirBorne threat requires zero interaction, but that doesn’t mean user behavior doesn’t matter.

Ensure users understand:

• Not to accept unsolicited AirDrop or mirroring requests
• The importance of system updates
• The risk of public network exposure
• How to report suspicious device activity
• Our security awareness training includes modules on Apple-specific threats and behaviors.

5. Schedule a Third-Party Security Review
This isn’t the kind of threat you can patch and forget. D1 Defend, in partnership with a macOS security specialist team, offers in-depth audits for Apple-heavy environments.

We’ll help you:

• Identify vulnerable devices across your network
• Analyze AirPlay SDK exposure (especially in hybrid workplaces)
• Validate update compliance
• Monitor network for unusual AirPlay behavior

🧠 Think Apple Devices Are Immune? Think Again.

With over 2 billion Apple devices in circulation and millions of third-party AirPlay-enabled tools in use, the scale of this threat is enormous. And because Apple users often believe they’re “safe by design,” they may skip updates or ignore threat warnings—creating the perfect target environment.

🔐 How D1 Defend Helps You Stay Protected
As your IT and cybersecurity partner, D1 Defend provides:

✅ Patch and update management
✅ Mobile device management (MDM) integration
✅ Endpoint security for macOS and iOS
✅ Threat detection for lateral movement
✅ Ongoing user training and policy enforcement
✅ Third-party device risk audit