CVE-2025-24218 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically addressed in the Sequoia 15.4 update. The root cause is inadequate redaction of private data within system log entries, which can be accessed by applications. This flaw allows an app to retrieve information about a user's contacts without proper authorization, potentially exposing sensitive personal or professional contact details. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), indicating that the system fails to enforce appropriate access restrictions. According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N), exploitation requires local access and user interaction but no privileges or authentication, making it moderately accessible to attackers who can trick users into running a malicious app. The impact is primarily on confidentiality, with no direct effect on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the potential for privacy breaches is significant, especially in environments where contact information is sensitive. The vulnerability affects unspecified macOS versions prior to 15.4, and Apple has addressed the issue by improving private data redaction in logs to prevent unauthorized access.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a privacy risk by potentially exposing sensitive contact information stored on macOS devices. This could lead to unauthorized data harvesting, social engineering attacks, or privacy violations under GDPR regulations. Organizations with employees using macOS devices, especially in sectors like finance, legal, healthcare, and government, could face reputational damage and regulatory penalties if contact data is leaked. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, particularly in environments where users may install untrusted applications or be targeted by phishing. The confidentiality breach could facilitate further attacks by revealing relationships and contact networks. Since the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, operational disruption is unlikely, but data privacy concerns remain significant.

The primary mitigation is to update all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.4 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Organizations should enforce strict application installation policies, allowing only trusted and vetted apps to run on macOS endpoints. Implement endpoint protection solutions that monitor and restrict app behaviors, especially those attempting to access contacts or system logs. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of user interaction in exploitation. Review and tighten privacy and permission settings on macOS devices to limit apps' access to contacts. Regularly audit logs and monitor for unusual access patterns to contact data. For high-risk environments, consider deploying mobile device management (MDM) solutions to centrally control app permissions and updates. Finally, ensure compliance with GDPR by documenting the mitigation steps and maintaining data protection policies.