CVE-2025-24087 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application with limited privileges (local access and low privileges) to bypass permission checks and access protected user data. The root cause is insufficient enforcement of permission controls, categorized under CWE-281 (Improper Authentication). The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and does not affect system integrity or availability, but it compromises confidentiality by exposing sensitive user information. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with an attack vector of local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and privileges required (PR:L). The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. The issue was addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.3 by implementing additional permission checks to prevent unauthorized data access. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the vulnerability poses a risk in environments where untrusted applications may be executed locally. The lack of user interaction requirement increases the risk of stealthy data exfiltration by malicious apps or insider threats.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality of sensitive user data on macOS devices. Organizations with employees using macOS for daily operations, especially in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data (e.g., finance, healthcare, government), face risks of unauthorized data exposure. The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious insiders or malware that gains local access with limited privileges, potentially leading to data leaks or privacy violations. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could result in compliance issues with GDPR and other data protection regulations. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity and ease of local exploitation warrant prompt patching and monitoring. Organizations relying on macOS in mixed-OS environments need to ensure consistent security policies and endpoint protections to mitigate lateral movement and local privilege abuse.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.3 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Implement strict application control policies to limit installation and execution of untrusted or unsigned applications, reducing the risk of local exploitation. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring suspicious local access patterns and unauthorized data access attempts. Enforce least privilege principles to minimize the number of users and applications with local access rights. Regularly audit installed applications and user permissions on macOS devices. Additionally, educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and maintain up-to-date backups to mitigate potential data loss from other attack vectors. Network segmentation and strong access controls can further reduce the impact of a compromised macOS endpoint.