CVE-2025-24119 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS operating systems, specifically versions prior to macOS Sequoia 15.3, Ventura 13.7.7, and Sonoma 14.7.7. The vulnerability allows a malicious application to execute arbitrary code outside of its sandbox or with elevated privileges. This is due to improper state management within the system, which can be exploited by an app that already has limited privileges (low privileges and no user interaction required). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-269, indicating improper privilege management. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have some level of access to the system but with low complexity (AC:L) and low privileges (PR:L). No user interaction is needed (UI:N), and the scope remains unchanged (S:U). Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, allowing an attacker to bypass sandbox restrictions and gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to data theft, system manipulation, or denial of service. Apple has addressed this vulnerability by improving state management in the affected components, and patches are available in the specified macOS versions. There are currently no known exploits in the wild, but the severity and nature of the vulnerability make it a critical patch for macOS users to apply promptly.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those using macOS devices in their IT infrastructure. The ability for an app to escape sandbox restrictions and gain elevated privileges can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, intellectual property theft, and disruption of business operations. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology, which often rely on macOS for development and administrative tasks, could face severe confidentiality and integrity breaches. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged for lateral movement within networks if attackers gain initial footholds on macOS endpoints. Given the high CVSS score and the potential for full system compromise without user interaction, this vulnerability could facilitate advanced persistent threats (APTs) targeting European enterprises. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not diminish the urgency of patching, as threat actors may develop exploits rapidly once the vulnerability details are public.

European organizations should prioritize patching affected macOS systems by upgrading to macOS Sequoia 15.3, Ventura 13.7.7, or Sonoma 14.7.7 as soon as possible. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies to limit the installation and execution of untrusted or unsigned applications. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that monitor for unusual privilege escalations or sandbox escapes can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Restricting local user privileges and enforcing the principle of least privilege will reduce the attack surface. Regularly auditing installed applications and monitoring system logs for anomalous behavior related to privilege escalation attempts is recommended. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of installing unauthorized software and maintain robust backup and recovery procedures to mitigate potential damage from exploitation.