CVE-2025-24258 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS operating systems, including versions macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.6, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.6. The vulnerability arises from a permissions issue that could allow a local application with limited privileges to escalate its rights and gain root-level access on the affected system. Root privileges grant an attacker full control over the system, enabling them to modify system files, install persistent malware, disable security controls, and access sensitive data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-269, which relates to improper privileges or permissions management. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating that exploitation requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), privileges required are low (PR:L), no user interaction is needed (UI:N), and the impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential for privilege escalation makes this a critical issue for macOS users. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple through additional restrictions in the permissions model, and patches have been released in the specified macOS versions. Organizations running affected macOS versions should prioritize applying these updates to mitigate the risk of local privilege escalation attacks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on macOS devices within their IT infrastructure. The ability for an app to gain root privileges can lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and disruption of business operations. Sensitive corporate data, intellectual property, and personal information could be exposed or altered. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent footholds, bypass security controls, and move laterally within networks. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk. The local attack vector means that threat actors would need some level of access to the device, which could be achieved through phishing, malicious insiders, or compromised software supply chains. The lack of required user interaction increases the risk of automated exploitation once local access is obtained. Failure to patch promptly could lead to escalated attacks that are difficult to detect and remediate.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation strategy beyond simply applying patches. First and foremost, ensure all macOS devices are updated to the fixed versions (macOS Sequoia 15.4, Ventura 13.7.6, Sonoma 14.7.6) as soon as possible. Employ strict application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. Limit local user privileges by enforcing the principle of least privilege and restricting administrative rights to only those users who absolutely require them. Monitor system logs and use behavioral analytics to detect unusual activities indicative of privilege escalation. Implement strong access controls and multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of initial local access by attackers. Regularly audit installed applications and remove or quarantine any untrusted or unnecessary software. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified applications and the importance of reporting suspicious behavior. Finally, maintain robust incident response plans to quickly contain and remediate any exploitation attempts.