CVE-2025-31247 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS operating systems, specifically versions prior to the patched releases macOS Ventura 13.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.5, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.6. The vulnerability arises from a logic flaw related to state management within the operating system, which allows an attacker to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to protected parts of the file system. This means that an attacker, without requiring any privileges, user interaction, or authentication, can remotely exploit this flaw to read sensitive files or directories that are normally restricted. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 reflects a network attack vector with low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction required, resulting in a high impact on confidentiality but no impact on integrity or availability. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), indicating that the root cause is insufficient enforcement of access restrictions. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of the flaw and its ease of exploitation make it a significant risk. The lack of patch links in the provided data suggests that users should rely on official Apple updates for the specified macOS versions to remediate this issue. Organizations running vulnerable macOS versions should prioritize updating to the fixed releases to prevent unauthorized data exposure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk to data confidentiality, particularly for entities that rely on macOS systems for sensitive operations, such as financial institutions, legal firms, healthcare providers, and government agencies. Unauthorized access to protected file system areas could lead to exposure of confidential documents, credentials, or cryptographic keys, potentially facilitating further attacks or data breaches. Given the network-based attack vector and no requirement for authentication, attackers could exploit this vulnerability remotely, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. The impact is heightened in environments where macOS devices are integrated into critical infrastructure or handle regulated data subject to GDPR, as unauthorized data disclosure could result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a foothold for lateral movement within corporate networks if attackers gain access to sensitive macOS endpoints. Although no active exploits are reported, the vulnerability's characteristics warrant immediate attention to prevent potential exploitation.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation measures: 1) Expedite deployment of the official Apple security updates for macOS Ventura 13.7.6, Sequoia 15.5, and Sonoma 14.7.6 across all affected devices to eliminate the vulnerability. 2) Conduct an inventory of all macOS systems in the environment to identify and prioritize patching of those running vulnerable versions. 3) Restrict network access to macOS endpoints by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for unusual file system access patterns or privilege escalation attempts on macOS devices. 5) Enforce strict access controls and least privilege principles on macOS systems to minimize potential damage if exploitation occurs. 6) Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid incident response readiness. 7) Monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit activity related to CVE-2025-31247 to adapt defenses accordingly.