CVE-2025-24236 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that stems from inadequate sandbox restrictions, allowing an application to access sensitive user data improperly. The sandbox is a security mechanism designed to isolate applications and limit their access to system resources and user data. In this case, the sandbox restrictions were insufficiently enforced, enabling an app to bypass intended access controls. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the patched releases Sequoia 15.4 and Sonoma 14.7.5, which include additional sandbox restrictions to mitigate this issue. According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N), the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), and user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) but none on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). This means an attacker can potentially read sensitive data but cannot modify or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), indicating that the core issue is failure to enforce proper access restrictions. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant due to the potential exposure of sensitive user information. The fix involves enhanced sandbox restrictions implemented by Apple in the specified macOS updates.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24236 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. This could include personal information, credentials, or corporate data stored or accessible on affected systems. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government agencies, which often handle sensitive or regulated data, are particularly at risk. Data leakage could lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), reputational damage, and potential financial losses. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the threat is more relevant in scenarios where users might be tricked into running malicious applications or opening malicious files. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so it is less likely to cause system outages or data corruption. However, the confidentiality breach alone is significant given the sensitivity of data potentially exposed. Organizations relying heavily on macOS endpoints must consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and incident response plans.

1. Immediately apply the security updates macOS Sequoia 15.4 and Sonoma 14.7.5 or later to all affected devices to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Enforce strict application installation policies using Apple’s MDM (Mobile Device Management) solutions or Gatekeeper to restrict installation to trusted and verified apps only. 3. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of avoiding suspicious links or files that could trigger malicious app execution. 4. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of monitoring for unusual app behaviors or sandbox escapes on macOS devices. 5. Regularly audit and review sandbox configurations and system logs to detect attempts to exploit sandbox weaknesses. 6. Limit local user privileges where possible to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 7. Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patch management workflows to ensure timely remediation. 8. For highly sensitive environments, consider additional data encryption and access controls to minimize the impact of potential data exposure.