CVE-2025-24093 is a critical security vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows applications to access removable volumes without obtaining user consent. The root cause is a permissions issue classified under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions), where the operating system fails to enforce proper access controls on external storage devices. This flaw enables any app, regardless of its privilege level or user interaction, to read, write, or delete data on connected removable media such as USB drives, external hard disks, or SD cards. The vulnerability affects macOS versions prior to Ventura 13.7.3 and Sonoma 14.7.3, where Apple has implemented additional restrictions to close this security gap. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this issue, highlighting its network attack vector, low attack complexity, no required privileges or user interaction, and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no exploits have been publicly reported yet, the ease of exploitation and potential for data compromise make it a significant threat. This vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious software to exfiltrate sensitive data, implant malware on removable media, or disrupt business operations by corrupting external storage content. Organizations relying on macOS systems and external storage for data transfer or backup must prioritize patching and implement strict access controls to mitigate risk.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk to data confidentiality, integrity, and availability, especially for those that use removable media for data exchange, backup, or transport. Attackers exploiting this flaw can silently access sensitive information stored on external drives without triggering user awareness or consent, leading to potential data breaches or intellectual property theft. The ability to modify or delete data on removable volumes can disrupt business continuity and cause data loss. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology firms that handle sensitive or regulated data are particularly vulnerable. Given the high macOS adoption rates in certain European countries and the widespread use of removable storage for secure data transfer, the threat could have broad operational and compliance impacts. Additionally, the lack of required privileges or user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the likelihood of attacks in environments where macOS devices are connected to removable media.

European organizations should immediately upgrade all affected macOS systems to versions Ventura 13.7.3, Sonoma 14.7.3, or later to apply the security patches addressing this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application whitelisting and restrict the installation of untrusted or unnecessary apps that might attempt unauthorized access to removable volumes. Implement endpoint security solutions capable of monitoring and alerting on unusual access patterns to external storage devices. Employ device control policies to limit or log the use of removable media, especially on systems handling sensitive data. Educate users about the risks of connecting unknown removable devices and encourage the use of encrypted external storage to reduce data exposure. Regularly audit macOS system permissions and removable media access logs to detect potential exploitation attempts. For high-security environments, consider disabling removable media access altogether or using managed solutions that enforce granular access controls.