CVE-2025-24234 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Apple macOS identified under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions). The vulnerability allows a malicious application, upon user interaction, to gain root privileges without requiring prior authentication or elevated permissions. The root cause lies in vulnerable code that improperly manages permission checks, enabling privilege escalation. This flaw affects multiple macOS versions prior to Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5, where Apple has removed the vulnerable code to mitigate the issue. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects a local attack vector with low complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The impact includes full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, as root access grants complete control. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk if exploited. The vulnerability was reserved in January 2025 and published in March 2025, indicating recent discovery and patch availability. The technical details emphasize the importance of applying the latest patches to prevent exploitation. This vulnerability is critical for environments relying on macOS devices, especially where sensitive data or critical operations are involved.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24234 can be severe. Successful exploitation grants attackers root privileges, enabling them to bypass all security controls, install persistent malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt operations. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that utilize macOS devices for daily operations could face data breaches, operational downtime, and regulatory penalties under GDPR. The local attack vector means attackers need physical or local access or to trick users into running malicious apps, which is feasible in environments with less stringent application controls or social engineering susceptibility. The high integrity and availability impact could lead to system manipulation or denial of service, affecting business continuity. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as exploit code may emerge. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS devices are particularly vulnerable if devices are not promptly updated or managed securely.

1. Immediately apply the security updates macOS Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, or Sonoma 14.7.5 to all affected systems to remove the vulnerable code. 2. Enforce strict application whitelisting policies to prevent installation or execution of untrusted or unsigned applications. 3. Educate users on the risks of running unknown or suspicious applications to reduce the likelihood of user interaction exploitation. 4. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting privilege escalation behaviors. 5. Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools to enforce patch compliance and restrict software installation rights. 6. Regularly audit macOS devices for unauthorized software and privilege escalations. 7. Limit physical and local access to macOS systems, especially in sensitive environments. 8. Monitor logs for unusual privilege escalation attempts or root-level activities. 9. Consider network segmentation to isolate macOS devices handling sensitive data. 10. Maintain backups and incident response plans to recover quickly from potential compromises.