CVE-2025-24274 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS stemming from improper input validation, classified under CWE-20. This flaw allows a malicious application running with limited privileges to escalate its privileges to root, effectively gaining full control over the affected system. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple through the removal of the vulnerable code in macOS Sequoia 15.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, and macOS Ventura 13.7.6. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects a high severity, with an attack vector requiring local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), privileges required at the level of limited user (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). This means an attacker who can execute code on the system without needing user interaction can exploit this flaw to gain root privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability presents a significant risk, especially in environments where local access can be obtained or where malicious apps might be installed. The root cause is an input validation error, which Apple mitigated by removing the problematic code segment, thereby eliminating the attack surface. This vulnerability is particularly critical for organizations relying on macOS for sensitive operations, as it undermines the fundamental security boundary between user-level and system-level privileges.

The impact of CVE-2025-24274 is substantial, as successful exploitation grants an attacker root privileges on the affected macOS system. This level of access allows complete control over the device, including the ability to install persistent malware, access or modify sensitive data, disable security controls, and disrupt system availability. For organizations, this can lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, operational disruption, and potential lateral movement within networks. Since the attack requires local access but no user interaction, insider threats or attackers who have already compromised a lower-privileged account can escalate privileges rapidly. This vulnerability threatens confidentiality, integrity, and availability simultaneously, making it a critical risk for enterprise environments, government agencies, and any users handling sensitive information on macOS devices. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not diminish the urgency of patching, as threat actors may develop exploits given the high impact and relatively low complexity of the attack.

To mitigate CVE-2025-24274, organizations and users should immediately apply the security updates provided by Apple in macOS Sequoia 15.5, Sonoma 14.7.6, and Ventura 13.7.6. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application control policies to limit the installation and execution of untrusted or unsigned applications, reducing the risk of malicious apps gaining local access. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for unusual privilege escalation behaviors. Regularly audit user privileges and restrict local administrative rights to the minimum necessary. Implement strong physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access to devices. Additionally, maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect suspicious activities indicative of exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and encourage adherence to security best practices. Finally, consider network segmentation to limit the potential spread of an attacker who gains root access on a macOS device.