CVE-2025-10016 is a high-severity local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Sparkle framework, specifically affecting its Autoupdate helper tool. Sparkle is a widely used software update framework for macOS applications. The vulnerability arises from incorrect authorization (CWE-863) due to the lack of authentication of clients connecting to the Autoupdate daemon. An unprivileged local attacker can exploit a race condition by attempting to connect to the daemon when it is spawned by another application running as root. By doing so, the attacker can request the installation of a crafted malicious PKG file, resulting in escalation of privileges to root. Additionally, although the Autoupdate daemon can be manually spawned via the Installer XPC service, this normally requires user credentials through a system authorization dialog. However, the attacker can modify this dialog to facilitate exploitation. This vulnerability affects all versions prior to the fixed release 2.7.2 of Sparkle. The CVSS 4.0 score is 8.8 (high), reflecting the local attack vector with low complexity, partial authentication required, no user interaction, and a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vulnerability was published on September 16, 2025, and assigned by CERT-PL.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially those developing or deploying macOS applications that use the Sparkle framework for software updates. Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to gain root privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise, unauthorized data access, installation of persistent malware, or disruption of critical services. This is particularly concerning for organizations with sensitive intellectual property, regulated data, or critical infrastructure relying on macOS environments. Since the attack requires local access, insider threats or attackers who gain limited access through other means could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and move laterally within networks. The lack of user interaction requirement further increases the risk of stealthy exploitation. Given the widespread use of Sparkle in macOS applications, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of sectors including finance, healthcare, government, and technology companies across Europe.

European organizations should immediately verify if their macOS applications utilize the Sparkle framework and identify the version in use. Upgrading to Sparkle version 2.7.2 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed, is the primary and most effective mitigation. For environments where immediate upgrade is not feasible, organizations should restrict local access to macOS systems, enforce strict user account controls, and monitor for suspicious activity related to the Autoupdate daemon. Application developers should audit their integration of Sparkle to ensure no insecure usage patterns exist, such as spawning the Autoupdate daemon manually without proper authorization checks. Additionally, implementing endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools that can detect anomalous privilege escalation attempts and monitoring system authorization dialogs for tampering can help detect exploitation attempts. Regular security training to raise awareness about local privilege escalation risks and limiting physical or remote local access to trusted users further reduces exposure.