CVE-2025-30446 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that stems from a permissions issue allowing a malicious application with root privileges to modify system file contents. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-787, which relates to out-of-bounds writes or improper memory handling that can lead to unauthorized modifications. The issue was addressed by Apple through additional restrictions implemented in macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.5. The CVSS v3.1 score of 6.5 reflects a medium severity, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring high privileges (PR:H), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), no confidentiality impact (C:N), high integrity impact (I:H), and high availability impact (A:H). This means that while the attacker must already have root access, they can then modify critical system files, potentially compromising system integrity and availability. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality directly but can lead to system instability or persistent compromise by altering system binaries or configurations. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the risk remains significant due to the potential impact on system stability and security. The vulnerability affects unspecified macOS versions prior to the patched releases, so organizations running older versions are at risk. The fix involves enhanced permission restrictions to prevent unauthorized modification of system files even by root-level malicious apps.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-30446 can be significant, especially for those relying on macOS systems in critical roles such as development, design, or executive environments. The ability of a malicious app with root privileges to modify system files threatens system integrity and availability, potentially leading to system crashes, data loss, or persistent malware infections that are difficult to detect and remove. This could disrupt business operations, compromise sensitive data indirectly through system instability, and increase recovery costs. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and technology, where macOS adoption is notable, may face operational risks and reputational damage if exploited. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or insider threats where root access is obtained or abused. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time. The medium severity rating suggests a moderate but actionable risk that should be addressed promptly to prevent escalation.

1. Immediately apply the security updates provided by Apple for macOS Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5 to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Restrict root access strictly to trusted administrators and use the principle of least privilege to minimize the number of accounts with root privileges. 3. Implement robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring and alerting on unusual modifications to system files or privilege escalations. 4. Regularly audit system logs and file integrity to detect unauthorized changes to critical system files. 5. Employ application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized or malicious applications from executing with elevated privileges. 6. Educate system administrators and users about the risks of granting root privileges to untrusted applications. 7. Consider deploying macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Full Disk Encryption to add layers of defense. 8. Maintain an up-to-date inventory of macOS systems and ensure timely patch management processes are in place. 9. For organizations with high security requirements, consider network segmentation to isolate macOS systems and limit exposure. 10. Monitor threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploits related to this vulnerability to respond proactively.