CVE-2025-24278: An app may be able to access protected user data in Apple macOS
This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, macOS Ventura 13.7.5. An app may be able to access protected user data.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-24278 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS where an application with limited privileges may access protected user data by exploiting improper validation of symbolic links (CWE-59). The issue is resolved by enhanced validation of symlinks in the fixed versions macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and macOS Ventura 13.7.5. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, indicating medium severity, with an attack vector requiring local access and low complexity, no user interaction, and impacts data integrity but not confidentiality or availability.
Potential Impact
An attacker with limited privileges on a vulnerable macOS system could exploit this flaw to access protected user data by leveraging improper symbolic link validation. This could lead to unauthorized modification of data (integrity impact) without affecting confidentiality or system availability. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
This vulnerability is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and macOS Ventura 13.7.5. Users and administrators should update affected systems to these versions or later to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
CVE-2025-24278: An app may be able to access protected user data in Apple macOS
Description
This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, macOS Ventura 13.7.5. An app may be able to access protected user data.
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.5medium
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-24278 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS where an application with limited privileges may access protected user data by exploiting improper validation of symbolic links (CWE-59). The issue is resolved by enhanced validation of symlinks in the fixed versions macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and macOS Ventura 13.7.5. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, indicating medium severity, with an attack vector requiring local access and low complexity, no user interaction, and impacts data integrity but not confidentiality or availability.
Potential Impact
An attacker with limited privileges on a vulnerable macOS system could exploit this flaw to access protected user data by leveraging improper symbolic link validation. This could lead to unauthorized modification of data (integrity impact) without affecting confidentiality or system availability. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
This vulnerability is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and macOS Ventura 13.7.5. Users and administrators should update affected systems to these versions or later to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apple
- Date Reserved
- 2025-01-17T00:00:45.019Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69091e16c28fd46ded869721
Added to database: 11/03/2025, 21:26:46 UTC
Last enriched: 07/23/2026, 21:10:18 UTC
Last updated: 09/10/2026, 19:36:49 UTC
Views: 227
Community Reviews
0 reviewsCrowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.
Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.
Actions
Updates to AI analysis require Pro Console access. Upgrade inside Console → Billing.
Need more coverage?
Upgrade to Pro Console for AI refresh and higher limits.
For incident response and remediation, OffSeq services can help resolve threats faster.
Latest Threats
Check if your credentials are on the dark web
Instant breach scanning across billions of leaked records. Free tier available.