CVE-2025-24122 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2025
A downgrade issue affecting Intel-based Mac computers was addressed with additional code-signing restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, macOS Ventura 13.7.3. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
This vulnerability represents a significant security regression in Intel-based macOS systems that allows malicious applications to potentially bypass code-signing protections and modify critical system components. The issue stems from a downgrade flaw that weakens the integrity checks typically enforced by the operating system's code-signing mechanisms. When an application can modify protected filesystem areas, it essentially undermines the fundamental security model that macOS employs to prevent unauthorized system modifications. This vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions including the latest releases, indicating that the security flaw has persisted across several major versions of the operating system.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient restriction on code-signing validation processes that should prevent applications from writing to protected system directories or modifying core system files. This weakness creates an attack surface where malicious software could potentially escalate privileges or inject unauthorized code into critical system components. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level or through system-level APIs that should normally enforce strict access controls. When an application can modify protected filesystem parts, it essentially compromises the system's ability to maintain integrity and authenticity of its core components, which is a fundamental requirement for operating system security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise through various attack vectors. Attackers could leverage this flaw to install persistent backdoors, modify system binaries, or manipulate security-related configurations that would otherwise be protected. The ability to modify protected filesystem areas creates opportunities for advanced persistent threats to establish footholds that persist across reboots and system updates. This vulnerability also affects the trust model that users and applications place in the operating system's security guarantees, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks that rely on system-level modifications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment to the affected macOS versions including macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, and macOS Ventura 13.7.3, as these releases contain the necessary code-signing restrictions that address the downgrade issue. Organizations should implement strict application control policies to prevent unauthorized applications from running, particularly those that might attempt to modify system files. System administrators should monitor for suspicious filesystem modifications and implement additional security controls such as file integrity monitoring solutions. The fix addresses the core issue by strengthening the code-signing validation process and ensuring that downgrade scenarios cannot be exploited to bypass security restrictions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper file permissions, and may also relate to ATT&CK technique T1548.001 for privilege escalation through code injection.