CVE-2025-24278 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. 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 access protected user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical access control flaw in Apple's macOS operating system that could potentially allow malicious applications to bypass security restrictions and access protected user data. The issue specifically relates to insufficient validation mechanisms for symbolic links within the system's file access controls, creating a pathway for unauthorized data exposure. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of macOS including Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, and Sonoma 14.7.5, indicating it was a widespread concern across Apple's operating system ecosystem. The flaw stems from inadequate symlink validation that fails to properly verify the authenticity and security context of symbolic link references before granting access permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the operating system's privilege escalation controls and access validation mechanisms. When applications attempt to access files through symbolic links, the system should verify that these links point to legitimate locations and that the requesting application has appropriate permissions to access the target resources. However, the flaw allows applications to potentially traverse these security boundaries through manipulated symlink structures, effectively circumventing the normal access control enforcement that should protect sensitive user data. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal, which is a well-documented security weakness in file system access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could exploit this flaw to gain access to sensitive user information including personal documents, communications, financial records, and other confidential data stored within protected directories. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level where applications with legitimate access could be leveraged to perform unauthorized data access operations. This represents a significant threat to user privacy and data protection, potentially allowing for extensive data harvesting without proper authorization. The attack surface is broad as it affects any application that might interact with symbolic links or access protected user directories, making it a valuable target for threat actors seeking to compromise user data.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on updating to the patched versions of macOS mentioned in the advisory. System administrators and users should prioritize immediate deployment of the security updates for macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.5 to resolve the symlink validation issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and implementing application whitelisting policies can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability's resolution through improved symlink validation aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1059.001 technique of command and scripting interpreter, as it addresses the underlying system control mechanisms that could be exploited for unauthorized data access. The fix demonstrates Apple's commitment to addressing privilege escalation vulnerabilities and maintaining the integrity of their operating system's access control mechanisms, though it also highlights the ongoing challenge of securing complex file system access controls in modern operating systems.