CVE-2025-30449 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS stemming from a permissions issue that could allow a local application to escalate privileges to root. The flaw is categorized under CWE-281 (Improper Privilege Management) and affects multiple recent macOS versions, including Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5. The vulnerability arises because certain permission checks were insufficient, enabling an app with limited privileges to bypass restrictions and execute code with root-level access. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, such as running a malicious app, but does not require prior authentication, increasing the risk if a user is tricked into executing the exploit. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates that the attack is local with low complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction is necessary. Successful exploitation compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability by granting full control over the system. Apple has addressed this issue by implementing additional restrictions in the affected macOS versions. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported yet, but the potential impact is significant given the root-level access gained. Organizations relying on macOS should prioritize patching to prevent potential exploitation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-30449 can be severe. Root privilege escalation on macOS systems can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to access sensitive data, install persistent malware, or disrupt operations. This is particularly critical for sectors handling personal data under GDPR, financial institutions, research organizations, and critical infrastructure operators that use macOS devices. The vulnerability could be exploited by insiders or through social engineering to execute malicious apps locally. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, organizations could face data breaches, operational downtime, and regulatory penalties. The requirement for user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with less stringent endpoint controls or where users may be targeted with phishing or malicious software. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but vigilance is necessary to prevent future attacks.

1. Immediately apply the security updates released by Apple for macOS Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5 to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Enforce strict endpoint security policies that limit the installation and execution of untrusted applications, including the use of application whitelisting and macOS Gatekeeper. 3. Educate users about the risks of running unverified software and the importance of avoiding suspicious links or downloads that could lead to local exploitation. 4. Implement least privilege principles by restricting user accounts from having unnecessary administrative rights to reduce the attack surface. 5. Monitor macOS endpoints for unusual privilege escalation attempts or suspicious local activity using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored for macOS. 6. Regularly audit installed software and permissions to detect and remediate potential misconfigurations that could facilitate exploitation. 7. Consider network segmentation to isolate critical macOS systems and limit lateral movement in case of compromise.