CVE-2025-31246 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS systems, specifically related to the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) client implementation. The vulnerability arises when a macOS device connects to a malicious AFP server, which can trigger corruption of kernel memory due to improper memory handling. This is classified under CWE-119, indicating a classic memory safety issue such as a buffer overflow or similar memory corruption flaw. Exploitation of this vulnerability requires network access to an AFP server and low privileges (PR:L), but does not require user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning an attacker could potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, leading to full system compromise, data leakage, or denial of service. The issue has been addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.5 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 through improved memory management in the AFP client code. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the high CVSS score of 8.8 reflects the critical nature of the flaw and the potential for serious impact if weaponized. Since AFP is a legacy file sharing protocol primarily used in macOS environments, the attack vector involves tricking or luring a user or system to connect to a malicious AFP server, which could be set up by an attacker within a local network or via compromised network infrastructure. Given the kernel-level impact, successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security controls and gain persistent, privileged access to affected systems.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially in environments where macOS devices are prevalent, such as creative industries, software development firms, and enterprises with mixed OS environments. The ability to corrupt kernel memory and potentially execute arbitrary code at the kernel level can lead to full system compromise, data breaches, and disruption of critical services. Organizations relying on AFP for legacy file sharing or network storage access are particularly vulnerable. The threat could be exploited by attackers to gain footholds within corporate networks, escalate privileges, and move laterally. This could result in intellectual property theft, exposure of sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, and operational downtime. The lack of required user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the risk of automated or stealthy attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value European targets, including government agencies, research institutions, and financial services, where macOS usage is common and data sensitivity is high.

European organizations should prioritize patching affected macOS systems by upgrading to macOS Sequoia 15.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, or later versions that include the fix. Network administrators should audit and restrict AFP usage, disabling AFP client functionality where not needed, and consider migrating to more secure and modern file sharing protocols such as SMB or NFS with strong authentication and encryption. Network segmentation should be enforced to limit access to AFP servers, and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual AFP connection attempts or traffic patterns indicative of malicious server interactions. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be configured to alert on suspicious kernel-level activity or crashes related to AFP. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of connecting to unknown or untrusted AFP servers, especially in public or untrusted networks. Implementing strict network access controls and using VPNs or zero-trust network architectures can further reduce exposure. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should include checks for legacy protocol usage and kernel memory corruption vulnerabilities.