CVE-2025-24277 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS stemming from a parsing issue in the handling of directory paths, specifically due to insufficient validation of these paths. This flaw allows a malicious application to escalate its privileges to root level, effectively gaining full control over the affected system. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions) and affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5. The attack vector requires local access (AV:L) and low attack complexity (AC:L), with no privileges required (PR:N) but some user interaction (UI:R) to trigger the exploit. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the exploit affects only the vulnerable component without impacting other system components. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity due to the potential for complete confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise (C:H/I:H/A:H). The vulnerability enables an attacker to bypass normal security restrictions by exploiting the flawed path parsing logic, which could allow them to execute arbitrary code with root privileges. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a critical concern for any macOS user, especially in environments where sensitive data or critical operations are involved. Apple has addressed the issue by improving path validation in the specified macOS updates, and users are strongly advised to apply these patches promptly.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24277 is significant due to the potential for local attackers or malicious insiders to gain root privileges on macOS systems. This could lead to full system compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, and the ability to install persistent malware or backdoors. Organizations relying on macOS for critical business functions, software development, or creative industries could face operational disruptions and data breaches. The vulnerability undermines the security model of macOS by allowing privilege escalation without requiring prior authentication or elevated permissions. Given the high adoption of Apple devices in sectors such as finance, media, and government in Europe, the risk of exploitation could translate into severe confidentiality and integrity breaches. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering could be leveraged to trigger the exploit, increasing the attack surface. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the high severity and ease of exploitation necessitate immediate mitigation to prevent potential attacks.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Immediately deploy the security updates macOS Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5 or later to all affected devices to remediate the vulnerability. 2) Restrict local application execution rights by enforcing strict application whitelisting and limiting the ability to run untrusted or unsigned applications. 3) Enhance endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities to monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts or suspicious path manipulation behaviors. 4) Educate users about the risks of executing unknown applications and the importance of avoiding social engineering attempts that could trigger the exploit. 5) Implement strict access controls and audit logging on macOS systems to detect and respond to unauthorized privilege escalations. 6) For high-security environments, consider isolating macOS systems or limiting local user permissions where feasible. 7) Regularly review and update security policies to incorporate lessons learned from this vulnerability and improve overall resilience against privilege escalation attacks.