CVE-2025-24255 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application to escape its sandbox environment due to a file access issue stemming from inadequate input validation (CWE-20). The sandbox is a core security mechanism in macOS designed to restrict applications' access to system resources and user data, thereby limiting the potential damage from malicious or compromised apps. This vulnerability affects multiple recent macOS versions including Sequoia 15.4, Sonoma 14.7.5, and Ventura 13.7.5, and was addressed by Apple through improved input validation to prevent malicious file access patterns that could be exploited to break out of the sandbox. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.4, indicating a high-severity issue with the following vector: Attack Vector: Local (AV:L), Attack Complexity: Low (AC:L), Privileges Required: None (PR:N), User Interaction: None (UI:N), Scope: Unchanged (S:U), and impacts to Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability all rated High (C:H/I:H/A:H). This means an attacker with local access can exploit the vulnerability without any privileges or user interaction to gain unauthorized access beyond the sandbox restrictions, potentially leading to full system compromise. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the vulnerability represents a critical risk to macOS security. The flaw was reserved in January 2025 and publicly disclosed in March 2025. The lack of patch links in the provided data suggests users should rely on official Apple updates for the specified macOS versions. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because sandboxing is a fundamental security control in macOS, and bypassing it can enable attackers to access sensitive data, escalate privileges, and execute arbitrary code outside the intended app boundaries.

The impact of CVE-2025-24255 is significant for organizations and individual users relying on macOS systems. By breaking out of the sandbox, a malicious or compromised application can gain unauthorized access to system resources and user data that should be restricted, leading to potential data breaches, intellectual property theft, and exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability also allows attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code with broader system permissions, which can result in persistent malware infections, ransomware deployment, or disruption of critical services. Since the attack requires only local access and no user interaction, insider threats or attackers who gain initial foothold on a device can leverage this vulnerability to deepen their control. The high CVSS score reflects the broad impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, making this a critical concern for enterprises, government agencies, and any organization with macOS endpoints. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not diminish the urgency for patching, as public disclosure may lead to rapid development of exploit code. Organizations with macOS-dependent workflows, especially those in sectors like finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, face elevated risk due to the potential for data compromise and operational disruption.

To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-24255, organizations and users should immediately apply the security updates provided by Apple for macOS Sequoia 15.4, Sonoma 14.7.5, and Ventura 13.7.5 or later. Since the vulnerability involves sandbox escape via file access, it is critical to ensure all macOS devices are running patched versions to benefit from the improved input validation. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application whitelisting policies to limit the installation and execution of untrusted or unnecessary applications that could exploit sandbox weaknesses. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous file access patterns and sandbox escape attempts can provide additional detection capabilities. Restricting local access to macOS systems through strong access controls, multi-factor authentication, and limiting physical access reduces the attack surface. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning focused on macOS endpoints can help identify unpatched systems. Additionally, educating users about the risks of installing unverified software and maintaining robust backup and recovery procedures will help mitigate potential damage from exploitation. Organizations should monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit code targeting this vulnerability to respond swiftly.