CVE-2025-24121 is a low-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS, specifically a logic issue that could allow applications to modify protected parts of the file system. This vulnerability, rated with a CVSS score of 3.3, presents a risk to organizations as it could lead to unauthorized modifications of critical system files. The issue has been addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, and macOS Ventura 13.7.3. Organizations should prioritize updating their systems to these versions to reduce their exposure.
The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive files and data integrity issues. Although the exploitability of this vulnerability is low, it is crucial for defenders to recognize the potential implications of allowing unauthorized applications to modify system files. Organizations should assess their current macOS versions and take immediate action to mitigate this risk by applying the relevant security updates.
As there are currently no known exploits, the urgency for immediate remediation may be lower than for higher-severity issues. However, organizations should still address this vulnerability in their regular patching cycle to ensure system integrity and security.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows a logic issue that was addressed with improved checks. It is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, and macOS Ventura 13.7.3. The CVSS v3.1 score is 3.3, indicating a low severity. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-863. The potential impacts include a low integrity impact, while confidentiality and availability impacts are noted as none.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate checks in the application's logic, which could allow it to modify protected areas of the file system. The attack vector is local, meaning an attacker would need access to the target system. The attack complexity is rated as low, and the privileges required are also low, indicating that a non-administrative user could potentially exploit the vulnerability. Importantly, no user interaction is required for the attack to be successful. The impact on confidentiality is minimal, while the integrity impact is low, suggesting that unauthorized modifications could occur without affecting system availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2025-24121 lies in the potential for applications to manipulate protected system files, which could lead to further exploitation or compromise of system integrity. Given its low severity classification, organizations may place this vulnerability lower on their remediation priorities. However, the vulnerability's existence suggests that there are areas of the operating system that could be exploited if left unaddressed. In terms of potential blast radius, the impact could affect any macOS user who fails to apply the necessary updates.
Based on its CVSS score and the absence of known exploits, organizations should schedule remediation in their routine maintenance cycles.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of macOS are affected by this vulnerability: All versions prior to vendor patching including those before macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should upgrade to the latest versions of macOS to remediate this vulnerability. The recommended versions include macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3. If upgrading is not immediately possible, organizations should implement configuration hardening to restrict application permissions and monitor for any unauthorized changes to protected files. Additionally, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing to assess their systems.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts to protected areas of the file system. Behavioral anomalies in application performance or unexpected changes to critical files should also be closely observed. Implementing network signatures that flag unusual application requests may further enhance detection capabilities.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-24121 may reflect broader trends in how logic issues can lead to vulnerabilities that compromise system integrity. As applications continue to evolve, the potential for similar vulnerabilities to be exploited will likely persist. Security teams should take this incident as a cautionary tale about the importance of thorough testing and validation of application logic. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive security measures, including regular security assessments and penetration testing methodologies to uncover potential issues before they can be exploited.
Moreover, organizations should stay informed about emerging vulnerabilities and adapt their security practices accordingly. Learning from past vulnerabilities and their implications can help in strengthening future defenses against exploitation.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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