CVE-2025-24267 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS stemming from a permissions issue classified under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions). This flaw allows an application running with limited privileges to escalate its access to root-level privileges, effectively gaining full control over the system. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions prior to Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5, where Apple has implemented additional restrictions to address the issue. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects a high-severity rating, with an attack vector requiring local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability all rated high (C:H/I:H/A:H). This means an attacker with limited user privileges on a vulnerable system can exploit the flaw without needing the user to perform any action, leading to full system compromise. While no exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the vulnerability represents a significant risk for privilege escalation attacks, which can be leveraged to bypass security controls, install persistent malware, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The root cause relates to improper permission settings that allowed unauthorized privilege escalation. The fix involves tightening permission checks and restricting access paths that previously allowed the escalation. Organizations running affected macOS versions should prioritize patching to prevent potential exploitation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24267 is substantial. The ability for an app to gain root privileges can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, disrupt operations, or deploy ransomware. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that use macOS devices are particularly at risk. The vulnerability undermines the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. Given the local access requirement, insider threats or attackers who gain initial foothold via other means (e.g., phishing, physical access) can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and move laterally within networks. This can facilitate advanced persistent threats (APTs) and increase the difficulty of detection and remediation. The lack of required user interaction further increases the risk, as exploitation can occur silently. The vulnerability also poses risks to endpoint security and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR if exploited to access personal or sensitive data.

1. Immediately apply the security updates released by Apple for macOS Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Conduct an inventory of all macOS devices in the environment to identify those running vulnerable versions and prioritize patch deployment accordingly. 3. Restrict local user privileges by enforcing the principle of least privilege, limiting the number of users with administrative or elevated rights. 4. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for unusual privilege escalation activities and anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Regularly audit installed applications and processes for unauthorized or suspicious software that could attempt to exploit this vulnerability. 6. Enforce strong physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access to macOS devices. 7. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of reporting suspicious activity. 8. Consider deploying application whitelisting to limit execution to approved software only. 9. Monitor system logs and security alerts for signs of privilege escalation or root-level access attempts. 10. Maintain up-to-date backups to enable recovery in case of compromise.