CVE-2025-24036 is a vulnerability identified in Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) for Mac, classified under CWE-367, which denotes a Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition. This type of race condition occurs when a system checks a condition (such as permissions or resource state) and then uses the resource based on that check, but the state changes in the interim, allowing an attacker to exploit the timing gap. In this case, the flaw exists in the update mechanism of Microsoft AutoUpdate, which runs with elevated privileges to manage software updates. An attacker with limited privileges on the local Mac system can exploit this race condition to escalate their privileges, potentially gaining administrative or system-level access. The vulnerability affects all versions of Microsoft AutoUpdate for Mac as indicated, though specific version details are not provided. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.0, with vector AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating that the attack requires local access, high attack complexity, and low privileges but no user interaction. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, meaning successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise. No public exploits or patches are currently available, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed promptly. The race condition nature makes exploitation timing-sensitive and complex, but the potential damage justifies urgent mitigation efforts.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially to those relying on Mac systems within their IT infrastructure, including enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated rights, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or disrupt services. This could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical systems and data. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and public administration, which often use Mac devices and Microsoft software, could face operational disruptions and data breaches. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability details are widely known. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but insider threats or malware already present on a system could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and move laterally within networks.

1. Monitor Microsoft’s official channels for patches addressing CVE-2025-24036 and apply them immediately upon release. 2. Until patches are available, restrict local access to Mac systems running Microsoft AutoUpdate to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 3. Implement strict endpoint protection and behavior monitoring to detect suspicious activities indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 4. Use macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and full disk encryption to limit the impact of potential exploits. 5. Regularly audit user privileges and remove unnecessary local accounts or administrative rights. 6. Employ application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of code. 7. Educate users about the risks of local malware and insider threats that could exploit such vulnerabilities. 8. Consider network segmentation to isolate critical Mac systems and reduce lateral movement opportunities.