CVE-2025-24253 is a critical security vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, caused by improper handling of symbolic links (symlinks). Symlinks are filesystem objects that point to other files or directories, and mishandling them can lead to unauthorized access to protected user data. This vulnerability allows a malicious application to bypass macOS security controls and access sensitive user information without requiring any privileges, user interaction, or authentication. The flaw affects multiple macOS versions prior to Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5, where Apple has implemented improved symlink handling to mitigate the issue. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information) and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, reflecting its critical severity. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning an attacker can fully compromise user data and system stability. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the vulnerability presents a significant risk, especially for environments where untrusted or malicious applications might be installed. The root cause lies in the macOS kernel or filesystem components incorrectly resolving symlinks, allowing apps to access files they should not. This can lead to data leakage, unauthorized data modification, or denial of service. The fix involves enhanced symlink resolution logic to ensure proper access controls are enforced. Organizations relying on macOS should urgently apply the security updates provided in the fixed versions to prevent exploitation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24253 is substantial. The vulnerability enables attackers to access protected user data without any authentication or user interaction, potentially leading to large-scale data breaches involving sensitive personal or corporate information. Confidentiality is severely compromised, risking exposure of intellectual property, customer data, and internal communications. Integrity and availability are also at risk, as attackers could modify or delete critical files or disrupt system operations. This is particularly concerning for sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, where data sensitivity and system reliability are paramount. The ease of exploitation and lack of required privileges mean that even low-skilled attackers or malicious insiders could leverage this flaw. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in European enterprises and public institutions, failure to patch promptly could result in significant operational and reputational damage. Additionally, regulatory compliance frameworks like GDPR impose strict data protection requirements, and exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to legal and financial penalties.

To mitigate CVE-2025-24253, European organizations should immediately upgrade all affected macOS systems to the patched versions: Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, or Sonoma 14.7.5. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies to prevent installation or execution of untrusted or unsigned applications that could exploit symlink handling flaws. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual filesystem access patterns indicative of symlink exploitation. Regularly audit and restrict user permissions to minimize the attack surface, ensuring that users operate with least privilege. Network segmentation can limit the spread of potential attacks originating from compromised macOS devices. Additionally, educate users about the risks of installing unauthorized software and enforce policies for software updates. For high-security environments, consider deploying macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and full disk encryption to further protect data. Finally, maintain robust backup and recovery procedures to mitigate the impact of potential data integrity or availability compromises.