CVE-2025-24248 is a permissions-related vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically affecting the ability of applications to enumerate devices associated with a user's Apple Account. The root cause is insufficient permission restrictions that previously allowed an app to query and list devices signed into the same Apple ID without proper authorization. This enumeration could reveal device identifiers and potentially other metadata, which may be leveraged by attackers for targeted phishing, social engineering, or further attacks on the user's ecosystem. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.0 (medium), with the vector indicating the attack requires network access (AV:A), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and low impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:L/I:L/A:L). Apple addressed this issue in macOS Sequoia 15.4 by implementing stricter permission checks to prevent unauthorized device enumeration. No public exploits have been reported, and the vulnerability was reserved in January 2025 and published in March 2025.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is a limited breach of confidentiality, as unauthorized apps can discover devices linked to a user's Apple Account. This information could facilitate targeted attacks such as spear phishing or device-specific exploits by revealing the user's device ecosystem. While the integrity and availability impacts are low, the exposure of device enumeration data can aid attackers in reconnaissance and lateral movement planning. Organizations with macOS users, especially those in sensitive sectors, may face increased risk of targeted attacks. The vulnerability does not allow direct control or compromise of devices but weakens the privacy boundary of Apple Account information. Since exploitation requires network access and has high complexity, widespread automated exploitation is less likely, but targeted attacks remain a concern.

To mitigate CVE-2025-24248, organizations and users should promptly update all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.4 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Restricting app permissions and installing apps only from trusted sources can reduce exposure. Network-level controls such as application whitelisting and monitoring for unusual device enumeration behaviors can help detect exploitation attempts. Enterprises should audit and limit the use of third-party applications that request access to Apple Account information. Additionally, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) on Apple Accounts can reduce the risk of account compromise even if device enumeration occurs. Security teams should monitor Apple security advisories for any updates or exploit disclosures related to this vulnerability.