CVE-2025-24261 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
The issue was addressed with improved checks. 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 modify protected parts of the file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2025
This vulnerability represents a significant privilege escalation flaw in apple's macOS operating system that allows malicious applications to bypass critical file system protections. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that permit unauthorized modification of protected system components, creating a pathway for attackers to gain elevated privileges and compromise system integrity. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions including Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5, indicating a widespread impact across the apple ecosystem. According to industry standards, this flaw aligns with cwe-276 which describes improper permissions and access control vulnerabilities, specifically targeting file system protection mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized modifications to critical system areas.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in access control validation within the kernel-level file system operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that leverage the insufficient checks to manipulate protected directories and system files that should only be modifiable by privileged processes or the operating system itself. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor through which applications can circumvent mandatory access controls and security policies that normally protect critical system components from unauthorized access and modification. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at a low level within the operating system, making detection and prevention more challenging for both users and security tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file system corruption, potentially enabling complete system compromise through privilege escalation attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain root-level access to modify system binaries, install persistent backdoors, manipulate security configurations, or exfiltrate sensitive data from protected system areas. The implications for enterprise environments are particularly concerning as this vulnerability could allow attackers to establish persistent footholds within networks by compromising individual user machines. Organizations relying on apple's ecosystem for critical operations face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised applications, or social engineering campaigns that trick users into installing harmful software.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment across all affected macOS versions to ensure the improved checks are properly implemented and validated. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for unauthorized file system modifications, particularly in protected directories such as /usr/bin, /sbin, and system library locations. The remediation process must include verification that the updated security checks are functioning correctly and that no residual vulnerabilities remain in the system. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and enhanced endpoint protection measures to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and potentially to persistence mechanisms, requiring comprehensive security monitoring and response procedures to effectively address the risk. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that the patched system maintains its integrity over time.