Listen to this Post
Apple’s Trusted Ecosystem Faces Major Threat from “AirBorne” Exploits
In a significant development shaking the foundation of Apple’s highly regarded security reputation, researchers at Oligo Security have discovered a cluster of critical vulnerabilities in Apple’s AirPlay protocol and SDK. Named “AirBorne,” this group of security flaws presents a serious threat to over 2.35 billion Apple devices and tens of millions of third-party devices that support AirPlay.
These vulnerabilities are not just theoretical risks—they include wormable, zero-click remote code execution (RCE) exploits that require no user interaction to compromise devices. Even more alarming is the potential for these exploits to propagate autonomously across networks, a scenario reminiscent of notorious cyberattacks like WannaCry. Devices running macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, CarPlay, and AirPlay SDKs are all affected.
From compromised microphones that can be used for spying to full-scale network intrusions in corporate environments, AirBorne could be a hacker’s golden ticket. Apple has released patches to address the vulnerabilities, but until those updates are widely installed, billions of users remain exposed.
Digest of Key Findings
- Discovery: Oligo Security researchers have unveiled “AirBorne,” a set of dangerous flaws within Apple’s AirPlay streaming protocol and software development kit.
- Vulnerability Type: Includes wormable zero-click RCEs, stack-based buffer overflows, type confusion, and authentication bypasses.
- Zero-Click RCEs: Exploits like CVE-2025-24252 and CVE-2025-24132 allow attackers to execute code remotely without user interaction.
- One-Click RCEs: CVE-2025-24271 and CVE-2025-24137 require minimal user action to exploit and gain control over devices.
- Wormable Behavior: Vulnerabilities can be chained with other flaws, such as CVE-2025-24206 (user interaction bypass), allowing them to spread autonomously across networks.
- Attack Techniques: Hackers can abuse plist file parsing within AirPlay to trigger crashes or achieve code execution through unexpected object types.
- Exploit Example: Manipulating the
/getPropertyHTTP endpoint with malformed binary plist data can crash or compromise devices. - Affected Ecosystem: Over 2.35 billion Apple devices and many third-party IoT systems with AirPlay integration, including CarPlay and smart TVs.
– Potential Threats:
– Eavesdropping via compromised microphones.
- Data theft and ransomware attacks on enterprise networks.
– Vehicle-based distractions and breaches through CarPlay.
– Supply chain threats via third-party AirPlay-enabled devices.
- Apple’s Response: Security patches released in macOS Sequoia 15.4 and iOS/iPadOS 18.4.
– Mitigation Recommendations:
– Update all Apple and AirPlay-enabled devices immediately.
– Disable AirPlay Receiver if not in use.
- Limit port 7000 to trusted IP ranges only.
- Set AirPlay access control to “Current User” to reduce exposure.
What Undercode Say:
The AirBorne vulnerabilities signal a major wake-up call for the tech industry, especially in the often-overlooked realm of wireless streaming protocols. While Apple is usually hailed as a leader in privacy and security, this incident illustrates that even robust ecosystems are susceptible to foundational flaws when internal protocols like AirPlay are left underexamined.
At the heart of the issue is plist serialization—the method Apple uses for exchanging data in AirPlay. While efficient, plist handling introduces opportunities for confusion when maliciously crafted inputs are not properly validated. Type confusion, stack overflows, and use-after-free vulnerabilities thrive in such loosely enforced environments. Exploiting these flaws, a remote attacker can trick AirPlay into running arbitrary code—essentially taking over a device with little or no user interaction.
Zero-click RCEs, in particular, are among the most dangerous types of vulnerabilities because they require no action on the user’s part. This makes mass exploitation much easier for threat actors, especially in enterprise or educational settings where AirPlay is widely used to connect devices over shared networks.
The inclusion of CarPlay in the list of affected systems introduces an entirely new attack surface—vehicles. A successful exploit here could theoretically lead to driver distraction, surveillance, or even manipulation of in-car systems depending on the level of integration.
Even more concerning is the wormable nature of some of these vulnerabilities. If chained effectively, an attacker could unleash an exploit that spreads itself across a local network or even the wider internet, mimicking some of the worst malware outbreaks in history. Corporate networks with hundreds of Apple devices could be silently infected, leaking data or acting as launchpads for further attacks.
This is not just a consumer security issue—enterprises, schools, healthcare institutions, and public-sector organizations all need to take urgent action. Supply chain risks also loom large, as third-party devices running unpatched AirPlay SDKs could be used to infiltrate networks from the outside in.
Oligo Security’s disclosure shines a light on the importance of internal protocol auditing, particularly for systems that are assumed to be secure by design. AirPlay’s long-standing popularity and ubiquity have ironically made it a low-profile, high-reward target.
Looking ahead, Apple’s swift response with patch releases is commendable, but it’s clear that more robust input validation, runtime protections, and perhaps even a re-architecture of AirPlay are required to future-proof the ecosystem.
Finally, this incident reminds us why zero-trust architecture, network segmentation, and aggressive patching policies are vital in the era of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. As wireless streaming becomes the norm in homes, offices, and vehicles, its security must be as tight as its convenience is seamless.
Fact Checker Results:
- Verified: All listed CVEs are recognized, and patches have been released by Apple.
- Confirmed: AirPlay operates over TCP port 7000 using binary plist data, matching technical descriptions.
- Credible Source: Oligo Security’s findings align with previous research into plist-related vulnerabilities in Apple protocols.
References:
Reported By: cyberpress.org
Extra Source Hub:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit
Wikipedia
Undercode AI
Image Source:
Unsplash
Undercode AI DI v2
