CVE-2025-24233 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5. A malicious app may be able to read or write to protected files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical permissions flaw in apple's macOS operating system that allows malicious applications to bypass intended security controls and access protected files. The issue stems from insufficient restrictions on file system access that enables unauthorized applications to read or write to areas of the system that should be protected from general user or application access. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions including Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5, indicating a widespread concern across the apple ecosystem. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a privilege escalation vector that could potentially allow attackers to access sensitive system files, user data, or configuration information that should remain protected.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumerations such as cwe-276, which addresses improper permissions and access control mechanisms in operating systems. The flaw essentially creates a gap in the macos security model where applications can circumvent standard file system permissions and access controls that are fundamental to maintaining system integrity and user privacy. This type of vulnerability falls under the attack pattern category of privilege escalation as defined by the attack technique framework, where an attacker can leverage the flaw to gain elevated access rights beyond what is normally permitted. The impact is particularly concerning because it affects core operating system security controls that are designed to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple file access, as it could enable attackers to manipulate system configurations, steal sensitive user information, or potentially establish persistent access to affected systems. An attacker could exploit this weakness to read system logs, configuration files, or user data that should remain protected by standard access controls. The vulnerability's presence across multiple macOS versions suggests that organizations running these operating systems may be exposed to potential exploitation, particularly in enterprise environments where system integrity and data protection are paramount. This type of access control bypass could also facilitate further attacks by allowing adversaries to gather intelligence about system configurations or access credentials stored in protected files.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including deploying the latest security updates for macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.5 as these releases contain the necessary patches to address the permissions issue. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potentially compromised systems and implement additional monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. The remediation approach should also include reviewing application permissions and access controls to ensure that only authorized applications can access sensitive system areas. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits should be conducted to verify that system hardening measures are properly implemented and that access control mechanisms remain effective against similar vulnerabilities.