CVE-2025-24241 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
A configuration 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. An app may be able to trick a user into copying sensitive data to the pasteboard.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
This vulnerability represents a configuration flaw that enables malicious applications to deceive users into inadvertently copying sensitive information to the system clipboard. The issue stems from insufficient restrictions in the operating system's handling of clipboard operations, allowing applications to manipulate user interactions in ways that compromise data security. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions including Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5, indicating a widespread configuration issue that requires system updates to remediate. The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper access control, and specifically relates to clipboard manipulation techniques that bypass normal user consent mechanisms. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for users who may unknowingly expose sensitive data such as passwords, personal identification numbers, or confidential business information through routine copy-paste operations.
The exploitability of this vulnerability relies on social engineering tactics combined with technical manipulation of clipboard functionality. Attackers can craft applications that appear legitimate to users while simultaneously implementing code that automatically copies sensitive data to the pasteboard when users perform normal actions like clicking buttons or selecting text. This creates a scenario where users believe they are performing routine operations but are actually transferring confidential information without their awareness. The attack vector operates through user interaction patterns that are commonly accepted as safe, making detection particularly challenging for both users and security monitoring systems. This type of attack maps to ATT&CK technique T1133 which covers external remote services and clipboard data manipulation, while also demonstrating characteristics of credential access and information gathering phases in the attack lifecycle.
The security implications extend beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential identity theft, unauthorized access to accounts, and corporate data breaches. When users copy sensitive information to the clipboard, this data becomes accessible to any application that can read the system clipboard, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to intercept and utilize this information. The vulnerability's resolution through system updates demonstrates the importance of maintaining current operating system versions and implementing proper access controls for clipboard operations. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where sensitive data handling is common. The remediation approach requires users to update to the specified macOS versions, which incorporate additional restrictions and validation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized clipboard manipulation.
Security practitioners should implement monitoring for clipboard activity in environments where sensitive data is handled, as this vulnerability could potentially be exploited in targeted attacks against high-value targets. The configuration issue highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of user interaction patterns and clipboard handling mechanisms in applications. Organizations should review their existing security policies to ensure proper user education regarding clipboard security and the potential risks associated with routine copy-paste operations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of least privilege principles in application design and the necessity of validating user intent before performing potentially sensitive operations. Implementation of additional controls such as clipboard access monitoring and user awareness training can provide defense-in-depth measures against exploitation of similar configuration issues.