CVE-2025-24099 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS that enables a local attacker to elevate their privileges by exploiting insufficient authorization checks, classified under CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization). The issue stems from the operating system failing to properly verify permissions before allowing certain privileged operations, which can be abused by an attacker with local access to gain higher-level privileges than intended. This vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.3, Sonoma 14.7.3, and Ventura 13.7.3, where the flaw has been fixed by implementing improved checks to enforce correct authorization. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.1, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector of local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and limited impact on confidentiality and integrity (C:L/I:L) but no impact on availability (A:N). The vulnerability does not require user interaction or prior authentication, making it potentially exploitable by any local user or process. While no exploits are currently known in the wild, the presence of this vulnerability could allow malicious actors to bypass security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system functions or data. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where multiple users share a macOS system or where attackers can gain local access through other means.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-24099 is the potential for unauthorized privilege escalation on affected macOS systems. This can lead to attackers gaining elevated rights, allowing them to bypass security controls, access sensitive information, modify system configurations, or install persistent malware. For organizations, this elevates the risk of insider threats or attackers who have gained limited local access to fully compromise affected machines. The confidentiality and integrity of data on compromised systems may be at risk, although availability is not impacted. This vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks if attackers escalate privileges on endpoint devices. Organizations relying heavily on macOS in multi-user environments or with remote/local access scenarios are particularly at risk. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits following public disclosure.

Organizations should promptly apply the security updates provided by Apple in macOS Sequoia 15.3, Sonoma 14.7.3, and Ventura 13.7.3 to remediate this vulnerability. Until patches are deployed, restrict local access to macOS systems to trusted users only and monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting suspicious privilege escalation behaviors. Regularly audit user permissions and system logs to identify potential exploitation attempts. Implement strong physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access. Additionally, consider using macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and mandatory access controls to limit the impact of potential privilege escalations. Educate users about the risks of local access and enforce least privilege principles to minimize attack surface.