CVE-2025-31231 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS, specifically related to a permissions issue that allows an application to read sensitive location information without proper authorization. The vulnerability stems from insufficient restrictions on access controls governing location data, categorized under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). Although the exact affected macOS versions are unspecified, the issue has been addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.4 through additional permission restrictions. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector classified as local (AV:L), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but user interaction (UI:R) is necessary. The impact is high on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently in the wild. This vulnerability allows an app, potentially malicious or compromised, to access sensitive location data that users expect to be protected, potentially leading to privacy violations or targeted surveillance. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the threat is limited to scenarios where a user installs or runs a malicious app or is tricked into granting permissions. The lack of integrity and availability impact means the system’s operation and data integrity remain intact, but confidentiality breach of location data is significant, especially for privacy-sensitive users or organizations handling sensitive location-based information.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a privacy and data protection risk, particularly under stringent regulations like the GDPR, which mandates strict controls over personal data, including location information. Organizations handling sensitive location data—such as logistics companies, governmental agencies, or enterprises with mobile workforce management—could face data leakage risks if malicious apps exploit this vulnerability. The exposure of location data could lead to unauthorized tracking, profiling, or targeted attacks against employees or assets. Although the attack requires local access and user interaction, insider threats or social engineering could facilitate exploitation. The breach of confidentiality could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies using macOS devices might be particularly vulnerable if users install untrusted applications. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future exploitation, especially as the vulnerability is publicly disclosed.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.4 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. Implement strict application control policies using Apple’s built-in tools such as Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection (SIP) to prevent installation or execution of untrusted or unsigned applications. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, restrict app permissions, and monitor device compliance. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified applications and the importance of scrutinizing permission requests, especially those related to location data. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and permissions granted on corporate macOS devices. For high-risk environments, consider disabling location services where not essential or using network-level controls to detect anomalous data exfiltration. Finally, maintain an incident response plan that includes procedures for handling potential data leakage incidents involving location information.