CVE-2025-24092 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that permits an application to access sensitive location information improperly. The root cause is related to insufficient data protection mechanisms, specifically an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125), which allows an app to read memory areas containing location data without proper authorization. This vulnerability does not require elevated privileges (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as the user running or interacting with the malicious app. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have local access to the system. The vulnerability affects macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.3 and Sonoma 14.7.3, where Apple has implemented improved data protection to fix this issue. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the moderate ease of exploitation and the high confidentiality impact due to exposure of sensitive location data. No integrity or availability impacts are noted. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious apps to surreptitiously gather location data, potentially compromising user privacy and enabling further targeted attacks or surveillance. The fix involves enhanced data protection controls that prevent unauthorized reading of location information by apps.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-24092 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive location information, which compromises user privacy and confidentiality. For organizations, this could lead to exposure of employee or operational location data, enabling targeted phishing, physical security risks, or corporate espionage. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach alone can have serious repercussions, especially for high-profile individuals or sensitive environments. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the risk is mitigated somewhat but remains significant in environments where users may install untrusted applications or be subject to social engineering. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits over time. Organizations relying on macOS devices should consider this vulnerability a moderate risk to privacy and take steps to prevent unauthorized app installations and enforce strict app permissions.

1. Immediately update all macOS systems to versions Sequoia 15.3 or Sonoma 14.7.3 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Enforce strict application control policies to prevent installation or execution of untrusted or unsigned apps, reducing the risk of malicious apps exploiting this flaw. 3. Limit user permissions and educate users to avoid interacting with suspicious applications or prompts that could trigger exploitation. 4. Utilize macOS built-in privacy controls to restrict location access only to trusted applications and regularly audit app permissions. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual app behavior related to location data access. 6. For organizations with sensitive location data, consider additional network segmentation and monitoring to detect lateral movement or data exfiltration attempts. 7. Maintain an up-to-date inventory of macOS devices and ensure timely patch management processes are in place to address future vulnerabilities promptly.