CVE-2025-5317 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) affecting Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools for Mac versions prior to 7.20.52.200087. The issue stems from improper access control on the application directory (/Applications/Endpoint Security for Mac.app/) and associated directories within /Library/Bitdefender/AVP. Specifically, local users with administrative privileges who possess sudo rights can bypass the uninstall password protection mechanism by manually deleting these directories. This unauthorized removal circumvents the intended security controls designed to prevent uninstallation without proper authentication. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 6.8, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required beyond high privileges (PR:H), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, particularly integrity and availability, as the endpoint security software can be removed, potentially exposing the system to further threats. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no patch links have been provided yet, suggesting the vendor may still be working on remediation. The vulnerability highlights the risk of insufficient authorization checks on critical security software components, especially in environments where multiple users have elevated privileges.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the integrity and availability of endpoint security on Mac devices. If exploited, an attacker with sudo privileges can uninstall Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools without authorization, effectively disabling protection and increasing the risk of malware infections, data breaches, or lateral movement within the network. Organizations with shared administrative access or insufficient privilege management are particularly vulnerable. This could lead to compliance issues under regulations such as GDPR if personal data is compromised due to weakened endpoint defenses. Additionally, sectors with high security requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government, could face increased operational risk and reputational damage. The local nature of the exploit limits remote attack possibilities but does not eliminate insider threats or risks from compromised accounts with elevated privileges.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Restrict sudo and administrative privileges strictly to trusted personnel and minimize the number of users with such access on Mac endpoints. 2) Implement robust privilege access management (PAM) solutions to monitor and control the use of elevated privileges. 3) Employ file integrity monitoring tools to detect unauthorized changes or deletions in critical application directories, including /Applications/Endpoint Security for Mac.app/ and /Library/Bitdefender/AVP. 4) Enforce endpoint security policies that prevent unauthorized software removal or modification. 5) Regularly audit user permissions and sudoers configurations to ensure compliance with the principle of least privilege. 6) Monitor system logs for suspicious activity related to application removal or sudo command usage. 7) Apply vendor patches promptly once they become available to address the vulnerability directly. 8) Educate IT staff and users about the risks of privilege misuse and the importance of safeguarding administrative credentials.