CVE-2025-31275 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically addressed in the macOS Sequoia 15.6 update. The root cause is a permissions issue within the sandboxing mechanism, which is designed to restrict the capabilities of processes to enhance security. Due to this flaw, a sandboxed process—which normally operates with limited privileges and restricted access—may be able to launch any installed application on the system. This behavior violates the principle of least privilege and could allow an attacker to bypass sandbox restrictions, potentially leading to unauthorized execution of applications. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-274 (Improper Enforcement of Security Controls). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.2, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N) shows that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), no confidentiality impact (C:N), high integrity impact (I:H), and no availability impact (A:N). There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to macOS Sequoia 15.6, which includes potentially all earlier macOS releases. The fix involves additional restrictions in the sandboxing controls to prevent unauthorized app launches. This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious local code or compromised sandboxed applications to escalate their capabilities by launching other applications without proper authorization.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a risk primarily in environments where macOS is widely used, such as in creative industries, software development, and certain enterprise sectors. The ability for a sandboxed process to launch any installed app undermines sandbox isolation, potentially allowing malware or compromised applications to escalate privileges or execute unauthorized code paths. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or availability, the integrity impact is significant as it could facilitate lateral movement or persistence mechanisms within affected systems. Organizations relying on macOS for critical workflows may face increased risk of targeted attacks or insider threats exploiting this flaw. The lack of required user interaction and privileges lowers the barrier for exploitation by local attackers or malicious insiders. Given the medium severity, the impact is moderate but should not be underestimated, especially in high-security environments or where sensitive data is processed on macOS devices.

The primary mitigation is to update all macOS systems to version Sequoia 15.6 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed with additional sandbox restrictions. Organizations should enforce strict patch management policies to ensure timely deployment of this update. Beyond patching, review and tighten sandbox policies and application permissions to minimize the attack surface. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring and alerting on unusual process launches originating from sandboxed environments. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and sandbox configurations to detect anomalies. Limit local user access to macOS systems and restrict installation of untrusted applications to reduce the risk of local exploitation. Additionally, educate users about the risks of running untrusted code and maintain robust application whitelisting where feasible. For environments with high security requirements, consider additional runtime protections or application control mechanisms to prevent unauthorized app execution.