CVE-2025-31224 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS operating systems, specifically versions prior to macOS Ventura 13.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.5, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 where the issue has been addressed. The vulnerability stems from a logic flaw (classified under CWE-693: Protection Mechanism Failure) that allows an application to bypass certain Privacy preferences configured by the user. Privacy preferences in macOS are critical controls that restrict app access to sensitive data and system resources such as location, camera, microphone, contacts, and other personal information. By circumventing these controls, a malicious app could gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data or system capabilities without explicit user consent. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 indicates a high severity, with the vector string AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H meaning the attack requires local access (local attack vector), low attack complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a high degree. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, making exploitation potentially stealthy once local access is achieved. Although no known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, the presence of this vulnerability in widely used macOS versions poses a significant risk. The flaw was fixed by Apple through improved logic checks in the privacy enforcement mechanisms, highlighting that the root cause was an insufficient validation or enforcement of privacy preference settings within the OS. Organizations running affected macOS versions are at risk of unauthorized data access and potential system compromise if a malicious app is installed or executed locally.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can have serious implications, especially those handling sensitive personal data under GDPR regulations. Unauthorized bypass of privacy preferences could lead to exposure of confidential customer or employee information, intellectual property, or internal communications. This could result in data breaches, regulatory fines, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that attackers could not only access sensitive data but also modify or disrupt system operations. Organizations relying on macOS devices for critical business functions, including sectors like finance, healthcare, legal, and government, are particularly vulnerable. The lack of required user interaction for exploitation increases the risk of automated or stealthy attacks once local access is gained, such as through social engineering or supply chain attacks. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in targeted attacks against executives or privileged users who often use macOS devices, amplifying the potential damage. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in Europe, especially in corporate and creative industries, the threat surface is significant.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to the fixed versions: Ventura 13.7.6, Sequoia 15.5, or Sonoma 14.7.6 as soon as possible. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies using Apple’s Endpoint Security Framework or Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to restrict installation and execution of untrusted or unsigned applications. Employing least privilege principles by limiting user permissions can reduce the risk of local exploitation. Regular audits of privacy preference settings and monitoring for anomalous app behavior can help detect attempts to bypass privacy controls. Organizations should also educate users about the risks of installing unauthorized software and enforce policies against sideloading apps outside of the Mac App Store or approved enterprise catalogs. Network segmentation and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored for macOS can provide additional layers of defense by detecting suspicious activities indicative of exploitation attempts. Finally, maintaining an inventory of all macOS devices and ensuring timely patch management aligned with Apple’s security advisories is critical to minimize exposure.