CVE-2025-30432 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
A logic issue was addressed with improved state management. 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 Sonoma 14.7.5. A malicious app may be able to attempt passcode entries on a locked device and thereby cause escalating time delays after 4 failures.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical logic flaw in Apple's operating system security architecture that affects multiple platform versions including visionOS 2.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.4, and various iOS and iPadOS releases. The issue stems from inadequate state management within the device passcode protection mechanism, creating a scenario where malicious applications can exploit the system's response to failed authentication attempts. The vulnerability specifically addresses a condition where the system fails to properly enforce the standard security measures that typically prevent automated passcode guessing attempts.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows a malicious application to repeatedly attempt passcode entries against a locked device without the normal security delays that should be enforced after multiple failed attempts. This represents a significant deviation from expected security behavior where the system should implement exponential backoff mechanisms and progressive time delays after failed authentication attempts. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security principle that repeated failed passcode attempts should result in progressively longer delays to prevent brute force attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for device security and user privacy. An attacker with malicious software installed on a device could potentially exploit this weakness to systematically attempt passcode guesses, with each failed attempt causing increasingly longer delays before the next attempt can be made. This creates a scenario where legitimate users might experience progressively longer wait times while attackers can still make multiple attempts, though with increasing delays between each attempt. The vulnerability essentially creates a time-based side channel attack vector that could be used to systematically bypass device security measures.
The fix implemented in the updated operating system versions addresses this issue through improved state management that properly enforces security delays regardless of which application is attempting to access the device. This aligns with security best practices outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework where such issues are categorized as weak session management or improper state handling. The remediation ensures that the system maintains proper state information about failed authentication attempts and enforces appropriate delays that cannot be bypassed by malicious applications. This update demonstrates Apple's commitment to addressing security gaps in their platform security architecture.
Security researchers and organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security assessment, particularly in environments where devices may be compromised by malicious applications. The fix addresses a specific weakness in the authentication system's state management and helps protect against potential brute force attacks that could exploit this timing behavior. Organizations should prioritize updating affected systems to ensure that the improved state management is properly implemented across all supported platforms. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining robust session management and state handling within security-critical components of operating systems, particularly those related to device authentication and access control mechanisms.