CVE-2025-60724 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability classified under CWE-122, discovered in the Microsoft Graphics Component of Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021 (version 16.0.1). The flaw arises from improper handling of memory buffers, allowing an attacker to overwrite heap memory, which can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over a network without requiring any authentication or user interaction, making it highly dangerous. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability, with attack vector network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability, meaning an attacker could fully compromise affected systems. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's characteristics suggest it could be weaponized quickly. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation strategies. The vulnerability specifically targets Mac users of Microsoft Office LTSC 2021, a widely used productivity suite in enterprise and government environments, increasing the risk profile for organizations relying on Mac platforms.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021 in corporate, educational, and governmental sectors. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, enabling attackers to steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, or deploy ransomware. The ability to execute code remotely without authentication or user interaction increases the likelihood of automated attacks and wormable exploits. Organizations with Mac-heavy environments, especially those handling sensitive or regulated data, face heightened exposure. The potential impact includes data breaches, intellectual property theft, operational downtime, and reputational damage. Additionally, critical infrastructure entities using Mac systems for administrative tasks could be targeted, amplifying national security concerns. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the critical severity demands urgent attention to prevent future attacks.

1. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply patches immediately once released for Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021. 2. Until patches are available, restrict network access to vulnerable Mac systems by implementing strict firewall rules and network segmentation to limit exposure. 3. Employ intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned to detect anomalous activity related to Microsoft Office graphics processing. 4. Enforce application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting and blocking exploitation attempts targeting buffer overflows. 5. Educate users about the risks of opening untrusted documents and encourage the use of sandboxed environments for handling suspicious files. 6. Regularly audit and update Mac OS and Office installations to ensure all components are current and secure. 7. Consider deploying network-level exploit mitigation technologies such as Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or equivalent solutions that provide behavior-based detection. 8. Maintain comprehensive backups and incident response plans tailored to Mac environments to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise.