CVE-2025-30429 in visionOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in visionOS 2.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.4, iPadOS 17.7.6, iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5. An app may be able to break out of its sandbox.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical sandbox escape issue that affects multiple Apple operating systems including visionOS, macOS, tvOS, and iPadOS. The flaw stems from inadequate path handling validation within the system's security boundaries, allowing malicious applications to potentially access resources outside their designated sandbox environment. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they undermine fundamental security principles that isolate applications from each other and from system resources. The issue has been addressed through enhanced validation mechanisms that properly restrict path traversal operations and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system components. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of sandbox escape attacks that are commonly categorized under CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-257 Insecure Storage of Credentials, though the specific implementation details suggest a more targeted path handling flaw.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weaknesses in how the operating system validates file paths and directory access requests from applications. When an application attempts to access files or directories, the system should enforce strict boundary checks to ensure that requests remain within the application's designated sandbox. However, the flawed validation logic allows certain path manipulation techniques to bypass these security checks, potentially enabling an attacker to traverse directories beyond the intended boundaries. This could involve exploiting symbolic links, relative path references, or other path manipulation methods that should be properly sanitized before processing. The vulnerability specifically impacts the core operating system security model that relies on proper path validation to maintain application isolation and prevent unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple sandbox bypass to potentially enable broader system compromise and data exfiltration. An application that successfully exploits this vulnerability could access sensitive user data, system configuration files, or other applications' data stores that should normally be protected by the sandbox environment. This represents a significant escalation from typical application-level security issues to system-level threats that could compromise user privacy and system integrity. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access personal information, credentials, or other sensitive data that applications normally cannot access. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where multiple applications are running with varying levels of system access, as this vulnerability could allow privilege escalation or lateral movement between applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of the patched versions across all affected operating systems including visionOS 2.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.4, iPadOS 17.7.6, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.5. System administrators should prioritize patch management to ensure all endpoints are updated with the latest security patches that address the path validation issues. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious path access patterns or unusual file system activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include enhanced application sandboxing policies, regular security audits of applications, and implementation of runtime application self-protection mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1055 Process Injection and T1070 Indicator Removal on Host, as exploitation could involve techniques that manipulate system paths to gain unauthorized access to protected resources. The fix demonstrates Apple's ongoing commitment to addressing sandboxing vulnerabilities and maintaining the security boundaries that protect user data and system integrity across their ecosystem of devices.