CVE-2025-31188 is a race condition vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to bypass the system's Privacy preferences. Privacy preferences in macOS control access to sensitive user data and device capabilities, such as location services, camera, microphone, and contacts. The vulnerability stems from a timing issue (race condition) where an app can exploit a window during which the system's validation of privacy permissions is incomplete or inconsistent. This flaw was addressed by Apple through additional validation mechanisms in macOS Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates the attack requires local access (AV:L), has low attack complexity (AC:L), does not require privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning an attacker could fully compromise the system's security posture. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk because it undermines the core privacy controls of macOS, potentially allowing malicious apps to access sensitive data or system functions without user consent. The underlying weakness is classified under CWE-362 (Race Condition), which is a common concurrency issue that can lead to privilege escalation or security bypasses if not properly handled.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a critical risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information stored or processed on macOS devices. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government, which often rely on macOS for secure workflows, could face data breaches or unauthorized data access. The ability to bypass privacy preferences may lead to exposure of personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Furthermore, the full compromise of system integrity and availability could enable attackers to deploy persistent malware or disrupt business operations. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, insider threats or social engineering attacks could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits after patches are released. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS devices are particularly vulnerable if endpoint security controls are insufficient.

The primary mitigation is to apply the security updates released by Apple for macOS Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5 without delay. Organizations should enforce strict patch management policies to ensure all macOS endpoints are updated promptly. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and restricting installation of untrusted applications can reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. User education to recognize and avoid social engineering attempts that could trigger the required user interaction is critical. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be tuned to monitor for unusual application behaviors that attempt to access privacy-sensitive resources. Network segmentation and limiting local access to macOS devices can further reduce the attack surface. Finally, organizations should review and audit privacy preference settings regularly to detect unauthorized changes or access attempts.