CVE-2025-24088 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to override settings enforced by Mobile Device Management (MDM) profiles. MDM is widely used by organizations to centrally manage device configurations, enforce security policies, and ensure compliance. The vulnerability arises from insufficient enforcement logic in macOS that permits an app to bypass these MDM-enforced restrictions. Specifically, an app can alter or disable settings that should be immutable under MDM control, potentially weakening security postures or enabling unauthorized behaviors. The flaw does not require any privileges or user interaction, making it remotely exploitable by any app running on the affected system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), indicating a failure to properly restrict access to critical configuration settings. Apple addressed this issue by adding additional logic to prevent apps from overriding MDM profiles, with the fix included in macOS Tahoe 26. No specific affected versions were detailed, but it is implied that all versions prior to Tahoe 26 are vulnerable. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting a high-severity rating due to its network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The impact primarily affects confidentiality by allowing unauthorized changes to device configurations, which could lead to further security weaknesses or policy violations. Integrity and availability are not directly impacted. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. Organizations using macOS devices managed via MDM should be aware of this vulnerability as it undermines the trust model of centralized device management.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the security and compliance of managed macOS devices. By allowing apps to override MDM-enforced settings, attackers or malicious insiders could disable security controls such as encryption enforcement, firewall rules, or application restrictions, potentially exposing sensitive data or enabling further compromise. This undermines the effectiveness of centralized device management, which is critical for regulatory compliance in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government. The confidentiality of organizational data and the integrity of security policies are at risk, potentially leading to data breaches or non-compliance with GDPR and other regulations. Although availability is not directly affected, the indirect consequences of weakened security controls could disrupt operations. The lack of required privileges or user interaction increases the likelihood of exploitation, especially in environments where users install untrusted applications. European organizations with large macOS deployments, particularly those in countries with high Apple market share, face elevated risks. The vulnerability could also impact managed service providers offering MDM solutions to European clients, amplifying the potential scope of impact.

1. Immediately update all managed macOS devices to macOS Tahoe 26 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Review and audit all MDM profiles and configurations to detect any unauthorized changes or anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts. 3. Restrict application installation policies to trusted sources and enforce code signing to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. 4. Implement continuous monitoring of device configurations and MDM enforcement status to quickly identify deviations from expected policies. 5. Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response and remediation. 6. Coordinate with MDM vendors to verify that their solutions are compatible with the patched macOS version and that no additional mitigations are required. 7. Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting suspicious configuration changes or unauthorized app behaviors. 8. For critical environments, enforce multi-factor authentication and least privilege principles to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 9. Maintain an inventory of all macOS devices and their patch status to ensure comprehensive coverage. 10. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing potential misuse of MDM override capabilities.