CVE-2025-31242 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple macOS and related operating systems such as iPadOS 17.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.5, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.6. The issue stems from insufficient redaction of private data in system log entries, which could allow a malicious application to access sensitive user information. Specifically, the vulnerability relates to the improper handling of log data that may inadvertently expose confidential user data to unauthorized applications. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which involves information exposure. According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N), the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity or availability. This means an attacker could potentially read sensitive data without altering system state or availability. The vulnerability has a medium severity score of 5.5, reflecting the balance between the high confidentiality impact and the constraints of local access and user interaction. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and Apple has addressed the issue through improved private data redaction in the specified OS versions. However, unpatched systems remain vulnerable to local attackers who can trick users into running malicious applications that exploit this flaw to access sensitive information from logs.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant privacy risk, especially for entities handling sensitive personal or corporate data on Apple macOS devices. The exposure of sensitive user data could lead to breaches of GDPR regulations, resulting in legal penalties and reputational damage. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, particularly in environments where endpoint security is lax or where users may be susceptible to social engineering attacks. Organizations with mobile or remote workforces using Apple devices are at increased risk, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential information from logs, potentially including credentials, personal identifiers, or other sensitive data. This could facilitate further attacks such as identity theft, corporate espionage, or unauthorized data disclosure. The lack of impact on system integrity or availability means the threat is primarily data confidentiality, but this is critical for compliance and trust. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in European corporate and governmental sectors, the vulnerability could have broad implications if not promptly addressed.

European organizations should prioritize patching affected Apple operating systems to versions iPadOS 17.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.5, or macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, where the vulnerability is fixed. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application control policies to prevent installation or execution of untrusted local applications that could exploit this vulnerability. User education programs should emphasize the risks of running unknown or unverified software, especially on macOS endpoints. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious local application behaviors and unusual access to system logs. Additionally, organizations should audit and limit local user privileges to reduce the attack surface, ensuring that users operate with the least privilege necessary. Regular review and redaction of log data to minimize sensitive information exposure can further reduce risk. Finally, implementing strong device management and security policies for remote and mobile users will help mitigate exploitation opportunities.