CVE-2025-24261 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to modify protected parts of the file system due to insufficient validation checks within the OS. This flaw does not affect confidentiality or availability directly but compromises system integrity by permitting unauthorized changes to critical system files or directories. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, meaning an attacker must have the ability to run an application on the target machine and the user must consent to some action, such as launching the app. No privileges are required prior to exploitation, which increases the risk if untrusted applications are executed. Apple has remediated this issue in macOS Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5 by implementing improved validation checks that prevent unauthorized file system modifications. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.5 (medium), reflecting the limited attack vector (local), low complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. There are no known exploits in the wild, indicating this vulnerability is not actively exploited at present. The CWE classification is CWE-200, which relates to information exposure, but in this context it aligns with improper access control leading to integrity violations. Organizations running affected macOS versions should consider this vulnerability a moderate risk, especially in environments where users may install or run untrusted applications.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24261 is the potential compromise of system integrity on macOS endpoints. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could modify protected system files, potentially enabling persistence mechanisms, tampering with security controls, or deploying malicious payloads that evade detection. Although confidentiality and availability are not directly affected, integrity breaches can lead to broader security incidents, including privilege escalation or lateral movement. Organizations with significant macOS usage, particularly in sectors such as finance, technology, and government, may face increased risk if endpoints are not patched promptly. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk from insider threats or social engineering attacks. Failure to address this vulnerability could undermine trust in endpoint security and complicate incident response efforts.

To mitigate CVE-2025-24261, European organizations should implement the following specific actions: 1) Deploy the security updates provided by Apple immediately—specifically macOS Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5—to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2) Enforce strict application control policies using Apple’s built-in tools such as Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection (SIP) to restrict execution of untrusted or unsigned applications. 3) Educate users to avoid running unknown or suspicious applications and to be cautious with user prompts requiring interaction. 4) Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring file system integrity and alerting on unauthorized modifications to protected directories. 5) Regularly audit macOS systems for compliance with security baselines and verify that critical system files have not been altered. 6) Limit local administrative privileges to reduce the risk of exploitation by unprivileged users. These measures collectively reduce the attack surface and improve detection and prevention capabilities against exploitation attempts.