CVE-2025-30460 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
A permissions issue was addressed by removing vulnerable code and adding additional 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 access protected user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical permissions flaw that allowed unauthorized applications to access protected user data on Apple macOS systems. The issue stemmed from insufficient access controls within the operating system's permission model, creating a potential pathway for malicious software to bypass normal security boundaries. The vulnerability was particularly concerning as it could enable apps to read sensitive user information without proper authorization, potentially compromising personal data integrity and user privacy. The affected versions included macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, indicating a widespread impact across multiple operating system releases.
The technical implementation of this flaw likely involved a code path where applications could exploit insufficient validation mechanisms or improper privilege escalation checks. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The vulnerability could have been exploited through various attack vectors including malicious applications masquerading as legitimate software or through privilege escalation techniques that allowed unauthorized access to restricted system resources. The removal of vulnerable code and addition of enhanced checks suggests the fix addressed specific code segments that failed to properly validate application permissions before granting access to protected data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access concerns, as it could enable broader system compromise through information gathering and potential lateral movement within the user's system. Attackers could leverage this flaw to collect sensitive personal information, credentials, or other protected data that should normally be restricted to authorized applications only. This represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where user data protection is paramount and could potentially lead to compliance violations under various data protection regulations. The vulnerability could also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as initial unauthorized data access often leads to further system compromise attempts.
The mitigations implemented by Apple involved comprehensive code removal and the addition of enhanced access control checks, which aligns with defensive programming principles and security hardening practices. These measures address the root cause by eliminating the vulnerable code paths while implementing additional validation mechanisms to prevent similar issues in the future. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the patched versions to protect their systems from exploitation attempts. The fix demonstrates Apple's approach to addressing security vulnerabilities through both reactive remediation and proactive security enhancement measures, consistent with industry best practices for maintaining system integrity and user data protection. This vulnerability highlights the ongoing importance of robust permission systems and regular security updates in preventing unauthorized access to sensitive user information.