CVE-2025-24249 is a critical security vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to determine the existence of arbitrary file system paths despite sandboxing mechanisms intended to restrict such access. The root cause is a permissions issue where sandbox restrictions were insufficiently enforced, enabling apps to bypass intended isolation boundaries. This vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5. The ability to check arbitrary paths can lead to information disclosure, as apps can infer the presence or absence of sensitive files or directories, potentially facilitating further attacks such as privilege escalation or targeted exploitation. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the vulnerability’s critical nature, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits have been observed in the wild, the vulnerability’s characteristics make it highly exploitable. Apple addressed the issue by implementing additional sandbox restrictions to prevent apps from probing arbitrary file system paths, thereby restoring the intended security boundary. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), highlighting the failure to properly enforce access controls. Organizations running vulnerable macOS versions are at risk of data leakage and system compromise if exploited.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24249 can be significant, especially for those relying on macOS systems in sensitive environments such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. The ability for an unprivileged app to check arbitrary file system paths can lead to unauthorized information disclosure, enabling attackers to map system files and user data, which may facilitate further targeted attacks or data exfiltration. The vulnerability’s potential to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability means attackers could manipulate or destroy data or disrupt services. Given the high CVSS score and no requirement for user interaction or privileges, exploitation could be automated and widespread if a malicious app is introduced. This risk is compounded in environments where macOS is used extensively or where endpoint security controls are weak. Additionally, compliance with European data protection regulations such as GDPR could be jeopardized if sensitive personal data is exposed due to exploitation. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not diminish the urgency for patching and mitigation.

European organizations should immediately prioritize upgrading all affected macOS systems to the patched versions: Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, or Sonoma 14.7.5. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application vetting and restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned apps to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Implementing enhanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that monitor for unusual file system access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Review and tighten sandbox policies and permissions for apps, especially those distributed internally or via enterprise app stores, to ensure they cannot probe unauthorized file system locations. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and their permissions to identify potentially risky software. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be applied to limit the impact of any compromised macOS endpoint. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans tailored to macOS environments to quickly recover from potential attacks.