CVE-2025-24156 is an integer overflow vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.3, Sonoma 14.7.3, and Ventura 13.7.3. The root cause is improper input validation that allows an integer overflow condition, categorized under CWE-190. This flaw can be triggered by a malicious application, which upon exploiting the overflow, can elevate its privileges beyond the intended security boundaries. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network (AV:N) without requiring any privileges (PR:N), but it does require user interaction (UI:R), such as running a malicious app or opening a crafted file. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. The consequences include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts (C:H/I:H/A:H), enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the high CVSS score of 8.8 indicates a serious threat. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases, emphasizing the need for timely updates. The technical fix involved improved input validation to prevent the integer overflow condition.

The exploitation of CVE-2025-24156 can have severe consequences for organizations worldwide. An attacker can gain elevated privileges on affected macOS systems, allowing them to bypass security controls, install persistent malware, access sensitive data, and disrupt system availability. This can lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, and operational downtime. Organizations relying heavily on macOS for critical infrastructure, development environments, or executive workstations are particularly vulnerable. The ease of exploitation without prior privileges and the requirement for only user interaction increase the risk, especially in environments where users may run untrusted applications or open suspicious files. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive patching, but the high impact and potential for privilege escalation make this a critical issue to address promptly.

Organizations should immediately deploy the security updates provided by Apple in macOS Sequoia 15.3, Sonoma 14.7.3, and Ventura 13.7.3 to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application whitelisting and restrict the execution of untrusted or unsigned applications to reduce the risk of exploitation. User education is critical to prevent running unknown or suspicious software that could trigger the vulnerability. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for unusual privilege escalation behaviors. Regularly audit and limit user permissions to the minimum necessary to reduce the impact of potential exploitation. Network segmentation can help contain compromised systems and prevent lateral movement. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from any potential compromise.