CVE-2025-31264 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS operating systems, specifically versions prior to macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.5 where the issue has been fixed. The vulnerability arises from an authentication issue related to improper state management, classified under CWE-287 (Improper Authentication). An attacker with physical access to a locked macOS device could exploit this flaw to bypass authentication controls and view sensitive user information without needing any prior authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability does not impact system integrity or availability but compromises confidentiality by exposing potentially sensitive data. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.6, reflecting a medium severity with an attack vector requiring physical access (AV:P), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) but none on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and Apple has addressed the issue through improved state management in the specified patched versions. This vulnerability highlights the risk of physical access attacks on locked devices, emphasizing the need for robust device security controls and patch management.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily in environments where macOS devices are used and physical security controls may be insufficient. The exposure of sensitive user information could lead to data breaches, privacy violations, and potential regulatory non-compliance under GDPR, especially if personal or confidential data is accessed. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and legal services, which often handle sensitive information on macOS devices, could be particularly impacted. The vulnerability could facilitate insider threats or opportunistic attackers who gain temporary physical access to locked devices, enabling data leakage without leaving obvious traces. Although the vulnerability does not allow system compromise or denial of service, the confidentiality breach could undermine trust and lead to reputational damage and financial penalties. Given the medium severity and requirement for physical access, the risk is moderate but significant in high-security environments.

European organizations should prioritize deploying the patches released by Apple in macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.5 to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict physical security policies to limit unauthorized access to devices, including secure storage of laptops and desktops when unattended. Implementing full disk encryption with strong passphrases and enabling automatic screen lock with short timeout intervals can reduce exposure. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting suspicious local access attempts. User training to raise awareness about the risks of leaving devices unattended and the importance of locking screens is also critical. For highly sensitive environments, consider hardware-based security features such as Apple’s Secure Enclave and enforcing multi-factor authentication for device access where possible. Regular audits of physical security controls and device usage policies will further reduce risk.