CVE-2025-66004 is a path traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-35 found in usbmuxd, a component of the libimobiledevice project that facilitates communication between Apple devices and Linux-based systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of file path inputs containing sequences such as '.../...//', which can be manipulated by a local attacker to traverse directories beyond the intended scope. This flaw enables local users to escalate their privileges to that of the usbmuxd service user, potentially granting access to sensitive files or enabling further system compromise. The vulnerability affects all versions of usbmuxd prior to the commit identified as 3ded00c9985a5108cfc7591a309f9a23d57a8cba. Exploitation does not require authentication or user interaction but does require local access, limiting the attack vector to insiders or users with some level of system access. The CVSS v4.0 base score is 5.1, reflecting medium severity, with attack vector local, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity by allowing unauthorized file access and privilege escalation. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed proactively. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may be pending or must be applied via updating to the specified commit or later versions. Organizations using libimobiledevice in device management, development, or testing environments should assess exposure and apply mitigations promptly.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-66004 lies in the potential for local attackers to escalate privileges on systems running vulnerable versions of usbmuxd. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files, modification of system configurations, or further lateral movement within internal networks. Industries relying on Apple device integration with Linux systems—such as software development firms, mobile device management providers, and enterprises with mixed OS environments—are at particular risk. The vulnerability could undermine confidentiality by exposing sensitive data and integrity by allowing unauthorized changes. Although the attack requires local access, insider threats or compromised user accounts could exploit this flaw. The medium severity indicates a moderate risk, but the absence of user interaction and authentication requirements increases the likelihood of exploitation once local access is obtained. Disruption of device communication services could also affect operational availability in environments dependent on usbmuxd for device connectivity. Overall, the vulnerability poses a tangible risk to European organizations with relevant infrastructure, necessitating timely mitigation to prevent privilege escalation and data breaches.

1. Update usbmuxd to the fixed version at or beyond commit 3ded00c9985a5108cfc7591a309f9a23d57a8cba as soon as it becomes available to ensure the path traversal flaw is patched. 2. Restrict local user permissions rigorously to minimize the number of users who can interact with usbmuxd or execute code in its context. 3. Employ mandatory access controls (e.g., SELinux, AppArmor) to limit usbmuxd’s filesystem access scope, preventing unauthorized directory traversal even if exploited. 4. Monitor system logs and usbmuxd activity for unusual file access patterns or privilege escalations indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Isolate systems running usbmuxd in segmented network zones to reduce the impact of a compromised host. 6. Educate system administrators and users about the risk of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and enforce strict access controls on multi-user systems. 7. Consider deploying host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to detect anomalous behavior related to usbmuxd processes. 8. If immediate patching is not feasible, temporarily disable or restrict usbmuxd usage on non-critical systems to reduce exposure.