CVE-2025-30442 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS identified by the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures system. The flaw arises from improper input sanitization (CWE-20), which allows a local application with limited privileges to escalate its privileges to a higher level without requiring user interaction. This vulnerability affects multiple recent macOS versions, including Sequoia 15.4, Ventura 13.7.6, and Sonoma 14.7.6, with Apple releasing patches to address the issue by improving input validation mechanisms. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting a high severity level. The vector string (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and results in high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk because it allows privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated rights, access sensitive data, or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability is particularly critical in environments where local access is possible, such as shared workstations or multi-user systems. The root cause being insufficient input sanitization suggests that malformed or malicious inputs to certain system components or APIs can trigger the escalation. This vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation in operating system security.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to severe consequences if exploited. Privilege escalation on macOS systems can allow attackers or malicious insiders to bypass security controls, access confidential information, install persistent malware, or disrupt critical services. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and technology firms that rely on macOS devices for sensitive operations are particularly at risk. The ability to escalate privileges without user interaction increases the risk of stealthy attacks. Additionally, organizations with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies or shared work environments may face increased exposure. The impact extends to data confidentiality, system integrity, and availability, potentially causing regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is compromised. Although no active exploits are known, the high severity and ease of exploitation by local low-privilege apps necessitate urgent attention to prevent potential targeted attacks or insider threats.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to the patched versions: Sequoia 15.4, Ventura 13.7.6, or Sonoma 14.7.6. Given the local access requirement, organizations should enforce strict access controls and limit the ability to install or run untrusted applications. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous privilege escalation attempts. Implement application whitelisting and restrict administrative privileges to reduce the attack surface. Regularly audit macOS systems for unauthorized software and monitor logs for suspicious activities indicative of privilege escalation. For environments with shared devices, enforce strong user authentication and session management policies. Additionally, educate users about the risks of running untrusted software locally. Organizations should also maintain an inventory of macOS devices and ensure timely patch management processes are in place to respond quickly to such vulnerabilities.