CVE-2025-57489 is a vulnerability identified in the SDAgent component of Shirt Pocket SuperDuper! version 3.10, a macOS backup software. The vulnerability stems from incorrect access control due to the improper use of a setuid binary within the SDAgent component. Setuid binaries run with elevated privileges, typically root, and improper handling can allow unprivileged users to execute code or commands with root privileges. In this case, the vulnerability allows an attacker with local access to escalate their privileges to root by exploiting the flawed access control mechanism. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond local access, and no authentication beyond local presence is necessary. While no CVSS score has been assigned, the potential impact is significant because gaining root privileges compromises the entire system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches have been released yet. The vulnerability was reserved in August 2025 and published in December 2025. The lack of patch links indicates that mitigation is currently limited to workarounds and access restrictions. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where SuperDuper! is deployed, especially on macOS systems used in enterprise or critical infrastructure contexts.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-57489 is the potential for local attackers to escalate privileges to root, granting them full control over affected systems. For European organizations, this could lead to complete system compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of backup and recovery operations, and potential lateral movement within networks. Organizations relying on SuperDuper! for backup solutions on macOS systems are at particular risk. The compromise of root privileges undermines system integrity and availability, potentially allowing attackers to disable security controls, install persistent malware, or exfiltrate confidential information. Given the nature of the vulnerability, insider threats or attackers who have gained limited local access could leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges rapidly. This could impact sectors with high macOS usage such as creative industries, education, and certain government agencies. The lack of known exploits suggests a window of opportunity for defenders to implement mitigations before widespread exploitation occurs.

1. Restrict local access to systems running Shirt Pocket SuperDuper! to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 2. Monitor systems for unusual privilege escalation attempts or unexpected root-level activity, using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored for macOS. 3. Until a patch is released, consider disabling or limiting the use of the SDAgent component if feasible, or running backups under least-privilege user accounts. 4. Implement strict file system permissions and audit the setuid binaries on affected systems to detect unauthorized modifications. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of local privilege escalation and enforce strong physical and logical access controls. 6. Stay updated with Shirt Pocket’s security advisories and apply patches immediately once available. 7. Employ application whitelisting and integrity monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized execution of binaries with elevated privileges. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on privilege escalation vectors within macOS environments.