CVE-2025-31249 is a high-severity logic vulnerability affecting Apple macOS, specifically addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.5. The flaw stems from improper logic checks within the operating system that could allow an application with limited privileges (requiring only low privileges and no user interaction) to access sensitive user data without proper authorization. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-285, which relates to improper authorization. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 reflects a network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N), with an impact primarily on confidentiality (C:H), some impact on integrity (I:L), and no impact on availability (A:N). This means an attacker who can run an app on the affected macOS system could potentially extract sensitive information that should be protected, although the integrity of data and system availability remain largely intact. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, increasing the risk of silent exploitation. While no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the presence of this vulnerability in a widely used operating system like macOS poses a significant risk, especially in environments where sensitive data is handled. The fix involves improved authorization checks to prevent unauthorized data access, highlighting that the root cause was a logic flaw in access control mechanisms.

For European organizations, particularly those using Apple macOS devices in corporate, governmental, or research environments, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality of sensitive data. Potential impacts include unauthorized disclosure of personal data, intellectual property, or confidential communications, which could lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR, reputational damage, and financial loss. Since macOS is commonly used in sectors such as creative industries, finance, and government agencies across Europe, exploitation could target sensitive information stored or processed on these devices. The requirement for low privileges means that even less privileged insiders or malicious apps could exploit this flaw, increasing the attack surface. Although integrity and availability impacts are limited, the confidentiality breach alone is critical, especially for organizations handling personal or classified data. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive patching and mitigation before widespread exploitation occurs.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.5 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Given the nature of the flaw, organizations should also implement strict application control policies to limit the installation and execution of unauthorized or untrusted applications. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous access patterns to sensitive data. Conduct regular audits of installed software and privilege levels to ensure minimal necessary permissions are granted. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of installing unverified applications and enforce the use of Apple’s notarization and app signing features to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Network segmentation and data encryption at rest and in transit can further reduce the impact of potential data exposure. Finally, monitoring for updates from Apple and applying patches promptly is critical to maintaining security posture.