CVE-2025-24115 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS caused by improper path handling that allows an application to read files outside its designated sandbox environment. The sandbox is a security mechanism designed to isolate apps and restrict their access to system resources and user data. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of file paths, potentially enabling an app to traverse directories and access files beyond its permitted scope. The flaw is classified under CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read), indicating that the app can read memory or files it should not access. The issue affects macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.3, Sonoma 14.7.3, and Ventura 13.7.3, where Apple has implemented improved validation to address the problem. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.5 (medium), reflecting that exploitation requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but user interaction (UI:R) is necessary. The impact is primarily on confidentiality (C:H), with no integrity or availability impact. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious apps or attackers with local access to read sensitive files, potentially exposing private user data or system information. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust sandbox enforcement and path validation in operating system security.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-24115 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information due to an app's ability to read files outside its sandbox. This can lead to exposure of personal user data, credentials, configuration files, or other confidential information stored on the system. Although the vulnerability does not allow modification or deletion of files, the confidentiality breach can facilitate further attacks such as social engineering, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within a network. Organizations relying on macOS for critical operations, especially those handling sensitive or regulated data, face risks of data leakage and compliance violations. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the threat is more significant in environments where users may install untrusted applications or where attackers have physical or remote access to user sessions. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future exploitation. Overall, the vulnerability could undermine trust in macOS sandboxing and data protection mechanisms if left unpatched.

1. Apply the security updates provided by Apple by upgrading to macOS Sequoia 15.3, Sonoma 14.7.3, Ventura 13.7.3, or later versions where the vulnerability is fixed. 2. Restrict installation of applications to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store or verified developers to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this flaw. 3. Employ endpoint protection solutions that monitor and restrict unauthorized file access attempts by applications. 4. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted software and the importance of user interaction in exploitation to reduce inadvertent triggering of the vulnerability. 5. Use macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Full Disk Encryption (FileVault) to limit the impact of unauthorized file access. 6. Monitor system logs and behavior for unusual file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. 7. For high-security environments, consider application whitelisting and sandboxing enhancements to further isolate applications. 8. Maintain regular backups of critical data to mitigate potential indirect consequences of data exposure.