CVE-2025-24122 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS affecting Intel-based Mac computers. The issue stems from a downgrade vulnerability related to code-signing enforcement, which previously allowed applications to bypass restrictions and modify protected parts of the file system. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), indicating that the flaw involves improper handling of memory or file system boundaries. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, as the attacker must run a malicious app that triggers the downgrade to weaken code-signing protections. The vulnerability does not require privileges (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), and the attack vector is local (AV:L). The impact is primarily on integrity (I:H), allowing unauthorized modification of protected system files, but it does not affect confidentiality or availability. Apple has fixed this issue in macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.3 by strengthening code-signing restrictions to prevent downgrade attacks. No public exploits or active exploitation in the wild have been reported to date. This vulnerability poses a risk mainly to environments where users may install or run untrusted applications, potentially leading to persistent system compromise or tampering with system files critical for security and stability.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized modification of critical system files on Intel-based Macs, undermining system integrity and potentially enabling further local privilege escalation or persistence mechanisms. While confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity breach could facilitate installation of backdoors or malware that compromise sensitive data or disrupt operations over time. Organizations relying on Intel-based Apple hardware in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk, as attackers could leverage this flaw to implant persistent threats or bypass security controls. The requirement for user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk from insider threats or social engineering attacks. Failure to patch could expose organizations to targeted attacks aiming to manipulate system behavior or evade detection by modifying protected files.

1. Immediately update all Intel-based Mac systems to macOS Ventura 13.7.3, Sequoia 15.3, or Sonoma 14.7.3 or later versions containing the fix. 2. Enforce strict application installation policies, restricting users to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store or enterprise-signed applications. 3. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring and alerting on unauthorized modifications to protected file system areas. 4. Educate users on the risks of running untrusted applications and the importance of avoiding social engineering attempts that could trigger this vulnerability. 5. Regularly audit system integrity using tools like Apple’s System Integrity Protection (SIP) status checks and file integrity monitoring to detect anomalies. 6. Limit local user permissions where possible to reduce the impact of potential exploitation. 7. Maintain up-to-date backups to recover from any integrity compromises.