CVE-2025-24246 is a critical security vulnerability identified in Apple macOS operating systems, specifically addressed in versions Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5. The vulnerability is categorized as an injection flaw related to insufficient validation of input data, which allows a malicious application to bypass normal security controls and access user-sensitive data without requiring any privileges, user interaction, or authentication. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the high severity, with attack vector being network-based, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The flaw could enable attackers to exfiltrate sensitive user information, manipulate data integrity, or disrupt system availability, posing a significant threat to user privacy and system security. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the critical nature of the vulnerability necessitates prompt remediation. The vulnerability affects multiple recent macOS versions, indicating a broad potential impact across Apple’s desktop and laptop user base. The root cause is an injection issue, which Apple has addressed by improving input validation mechanisms in the affected OS versions.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data stored or processed on macOS devices. Organizations relying on Apple hardware for critical business operations, including sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, could face data breaches leading to regulatory penalties under GDPR and loss of customer trust. The ability for an unprivileged app to access sensitive data without user interaction increases the risk of stealthy attacks, potentially enabling espionage, intellectual property theft, or disruption of business continuity. The broad impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that attackers could not only steal data but also alter or delete it, or cause system outages. Given the widespread use of macOS in European enterprises and among knowledge workers, the threat surface is substantial. Additionally, the lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive patching and mitigation before widespread exploitation occurs.

European organizations should immediately deploy the security updates provided by Apple for macOS Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5 to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should implement application whitelisting to restrict installation and execution of untrusted or unknown apps, reducing the risk of malicious applications exploiting the flaw. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be tuned to monitor for anomalous app behavior indicative of injection or unauthorized data access attempts. Network segmentation and strict access controls can limit the spread and impact of any compromise. User education should emphasize caution when installing new software, even from seemingly legitimate sources. Regular audits of installed applications and system logs can help identify potential exploitation attempts early. For organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, enforcing minimum OS version requirements and security baselines is critical. Finally, integrating macOS-specific threat intelligence feeds can provide early warnings of emerging exploits targeting this vulnerability.