CVE-2025-24092 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to read sensitive location information improperly protected by the operating system. The root cause is linked to a data protection flaw (CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read), which enables an app to access location data without the necessary privileges. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, meaning an attacker must convince a user to run or interact with a malicious app. No elevated privileges are needed, which lowers the barrier to exploitation compared to privilege escalation vulnerabilities. The issue affects unspecified macOS versions prior to the release of macOS Sequoia 15.3 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, where Apple implemented improved data protection mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to location information. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by exposing sensitive location data, which could be used for tracking, profiling, or targeted attacks. There is no impact on data integrity or system availability. No public exploits have been reported, but the medium CVSS score of 5.5 reflects the moderate risk due to the requirement for user interaction and local access. This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict access controls and data protection for sensitive user information on macOS devices.

For European organizations, the exposure of sensitive location information can lead to significant privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and potential targeted attacks against employees or assets. Location data leakage can facilitate physical tracking, espionage, or social engineering attacks. Organizations relying on macOS devices for sensitive operations or handling personal data are at risk of confidentiality breaches. The impact is particularly relevant for sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, where location privacy is crucial. While the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach alone can undermine trust and lead to legal and reputational consequences. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity rating warrants timely mitigation to prevent future exploitation.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to macOS Sequoia 15.3 or macOS Sonoma 14.7.3 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. 2. Restrict app permissions rigorously, especially location access, using macOS privacy settings and Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies. 3. Educate users on the risks of installing or interacting with untrusted applications to reduce the likelihood of user interaction-based exploitation. 4. Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting suspicious app behavior related to location data access. 5. Regularly audit installed applications and remove any unnecessary or untrusted software that could exploit this vulnerability. 6. Monitor system logs for unusual access patterns to location services. 7. For organizations with sensitive operations, consider network segmentation and limiting physical access to macOS devices to reduce local attack vectors.