CVE-2025-47968 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) for Mac systems. The root cause is improper input validation (CWE-20), which allows an authorized local attacker to elevate their privileges on the affected system. Microsoft AutoUpdate is a utility responsible for managing updates to Microsoft software on Mac platforms. The vulnerability arises because the software does not adequately validate input parameters, potentially enabling attackers with limited privileges to execute code or commands with elevated rights. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects the significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with an attack vector limited to local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and requiring privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature suggests that exploitation could lead to full system compromise or unauthorized access to sensitive data. Since Microsoft AutoUpdate is a core component for maintaining Microsoft applications on Mac, this vulnerability could be leveraged to bypass security controls and escalate privileges from a standard user to an administrator or root level on macOS devices.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-47968 can be significant, especially those relying on Microsoft software ecosystems on Mac devices. Privilege escalation vulnerabilities allow attackers to gain higher-level access, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, installation of persistent malware, or disruption of business operations. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that use Mac systems with Microsoft software are at risk of targeted attacks exploiting this vulnerability. The ability to escalate privileges locally means that if an attacker gains initial access through phishing or physical access, they can deepen their foothold and move laterally within the network. This could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or sabotage. Additionally, the lack of user interaction required for exploitation increases the risk of automated or stealthy attacks. The vulnerability also poses a compliance risk under European data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) if exploited to access or exfiltrate personal data.

To mitigate CVE-2025-47968, European organizations should: 1) Immediately monitor for and apply any patches or updates released by Microsoft for AutoUpdate on Mac systems. Since no patch links are currently provided, organizations should subscribe to Microsoft security advisories for timely updates. 2) Restrict local user privileges to the minimum necessary, employing the principle of least privilege to reduce the impact of potential exploitation. 3) Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting suspicious privilege escalation attempts on Mac devices. 4) Enforce strict access controls and audit logging on Mac systems to detect unauthorized privilege changes. 5) Educate users about the risks of local access attacks and ensure physical security of devices to prevent unauthorized local access. 6) Consider application whitelisting and integrity monitoring to prevent unauthorized modifications to Microsoft AutoUpdate components. 7) Regularly review and harden macOS security configurations, including System Integrity Protection (SIP) and secure boot features, to limit the attack surface.