CVE-2025-5995 is a security vulnerability identified in Canon USA Inc.'s Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro software for macOS, specifically version 2.3d (2.3.29) and earlier. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-732, which pertains to incorrect permission assignment for critical resources. In this case, the issue arises from improper directory permissions that allow a malicious user with administrator-level access to modify the directory contents. Such modification could lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the application, potentially resulting in privilege escalation. The vulnerability requires that the attacker already has administrator privileges on the affected system, which limits the initial attack vector but still poses a significant risk if an attacker gains such access. The CVSS v4.0 base score is 4.6 (medium severity), reflecting the local attack vector, low complexity, no user interaction, and the requirement for high privileges. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system to a limited extent, given the prerequisite of administrator access and the potential for privilege escalation through code execution. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or updates have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects macOS users of the Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro software, which is used to enable Canon cameras as webcams for video conferencing and streaming purposes.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-5995 is primarily relevant in environments where Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro is deployed on macOS systems, especially in corporate or creative settings that utilize Canon cameras for video conferencing or content creation. Although exploitation requires administrator access, the vulnerability could be leveraged by insiders or attackers who have already compromised an administrator account to further escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to broader system compromise. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive communications, disruption of video conferencing capabilities, or lateral movement within networks. Given the increasing reliance on remote work and video communication tools in Europe, exploitation could undermine operational security and privacy. However, the medium severity and the requirement for elevated privileges reduce the likelihood of widespread exploitation. Organizations with strict endpoint security and privilege management policies are less likely to be severely impacted. Nonetheless, failure to address this vulnerability could expose organizations to targeted attacks, especially in sectors with high-value intellectual property or sensitive communications.

To mitigate CVE-2025-5995, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict administrator privileges strictly to trusted personnel and enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize the number of users with elevated access. 2) Monitor and audit administrator account activities to detect any unauthorized modifications or suspicious behavior related to the Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro directories. 3) Apply strict file system permissions manually to the directories used by the Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro to ensure that only the application and trusted system processes have write access, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized modification. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting anomalous code execution or privilege escalation attempts on macOS systems. 5) Maintain up-to-date backups and system snapshots to enable recovery in case of compromise. 6) Stay alert for official patches or updates from Canon and apply them promptly once available. 7) Consider isolating or limiting the use of Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro on critical systems until the vulnerability is addressed, especially in high-security environments. 8) Educate administrators and users about the risks associated with elevated privileges and the importance of secure handling of webcam utility software.