CVE-2025-24272 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that permits an application to modify protected parts of the file system due to inadequate access control enforcement (CWE-284). This flaw allows an unprivileged app, without prior authentication, to alter system files or directories that are normally protected, potentially compromising system integrity and availability. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality directly, as it does not grant read access to sensitive data. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), but requires user interaction (UI:R), and has high attack complexity (AC:H), indicating that exploitation is not trivial and likely requires specific conditions or user actions. The vulnerability affects unspecified macOS versions prior to the patched releases: Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5, where Apple implemented improved access checks to prevent unauthorized modifications. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the potential for malicious apps to compromise system integrity poses a significant risk, especially in environments where macOS devices are used for critical operations. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.8, reflecting a medium severity level due to the combination of impact and exploitation complexity. This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict access controls on system files and the risks posed by malicious or compromised applications on macOS platforms.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized modification of critical system files, potentially causing system instability, denial of service, or enabling further privilege escalation attacks. While confidentiality is not directly impacted, the integrity and availability of systems could be compromised, affecting business continuity and operational reliability. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on macOS devices may face increased risk if devices are not promptly updated. The requirement for user interaction reduces the risk of automated widespread exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks, especially via social engineering or malicious software distribution. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate threat, but the vulnerability's existence necessitates proactive mitigation to prevent future exploitation. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in compromised system integrity, impacting trust in IT environments and potentially leading to regulatory and compliance issues under European data protection laws.

1. Apply the official Apple patches immediately by upgrading to macOS Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, or Sonoma 14.7.5 to ensure the vulnerability is remediated. 2. Restrict installation of applications to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store or enterprise-approved software repositories to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. 3. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of monitoring and alerting on unauthorized file system modifications, especially in protected directories. 4. Educate users on the risks of interacting with untrusted applications or links that could trigger exploitation attempts requiring user interaction. 5. Employ application whitelisting and macOS security features like System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Gatekeeper to limit app capabilities and enforce stricter execution policies. 6. Regularly audit macOS devices for compliance with security policies and verify that all security updates are applied promptly. 7. For organizations with macOS fleets, consider deploying Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to centrally manage patch deployment and security configurations.