CVE-2025-24094 is a race condition vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to potentially access user-sensitive data improperly. The root cause is a timing flaw where concurrent operations on sensitive data are not adequately synchronized, leading to a window in which an app can bypass intended access controls. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-362 (Race Condition), indicating improper handling of concurrent processes. The issue affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: Ventura 13.7.3, Sequoia 15.3, and Sonoma 14.7.3. Apple addressed the vulnerability by implementing additional validation to prevent the race condition. According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N), exploitation requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is limited to confidentiality (C:L), with no effect on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting it is not actively exploited yet. However, the vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious local applications or attackers with local access to exfiltrate sensitive user data. This makes it a concern for environments where untrusted or potentially malicious software can be executed locally.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24094 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS systems. This could include personal information, credentials, or other confidential data stored or processed by the affected device. Organizations with employees or systems running vulnerable macOS versions are at risk, especially if local access controls are weak or if users install untrusted applications. The confidentiality breach could lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and reputational damage. Since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, operational disruption is unlikely. However, the risk of data leakage remains significant, particularly in sectors handling sensitive information such as finance, healthcare, and government. The lack of required user interaction or privileges lowers the barrier for exploitation once local access is obtained, increasing the threat in environments with shared or poorly secured devices.

European organizations should immediately verify the macOS versions deployed across their endpoints and prioritize upgrading to macOS Ventura 13.7.3, Sequoia 15.3, or Sonoma 14.7.3 where applicable. Since exploitation requires local access, enforcing strict endpoint security policies is critical, including restricting installation of unauthorized applications and employing application whitelisting. Implementing strong user account controls and limiting local administrative privileges can reduce the risk of malicious app execution. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be tuned to monitor for unusual local process behavior indicative of race condition exploitation attempts. Regularly auditing installed software and educating users about the risks of running untrusted applications will further mitigate exposure. Additionally, organizations should maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to address potential data breaches. Collaboration with Apple support channels can provide timely updates and guidance.