CVE-2025-24122 identifies a medium-severity downgrade issue that affects Intel-based Mac computers. This vulnerability allows an application to modify protected parts of the file system due to insufficient code-signing restrictions. The issue has been addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, and macOS Ventura 13.7.3.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, which falls into the medium severity category. Organizations should assess the impact this vulnerability may have on their systems, particularly regarding unauthorized access to sensitive files or system settings.
Although there is currently no known exploit for this vulnerability, its nature poses real risks to organizations that may not have implemented the necessary patches. Therefore, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can allow unauthorized modifications to the file system, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges or alter system configurations.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability states that a downgrade issue affecting Intel-based Mac computers was addressed with additional code-signing restrictions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787, which pertains to improper control of a resource through its lifetime.
The CVSS version used is 3.1 with the following vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N. This indicates a local attack vector with low complexity, no privileges required, and requires user interaction. The integrity impact is high, meaning that the vulnerability can significantly alter the integrity of the system.
The affected products include macOS versions prior to the patches provided in Sequoia 15.3, Sonoma 14.7.3, and Ventura 13.7.3. The publication date of the CVE was January 27, 2025.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-24122 is a failure in code-signing restrictions that allows applications to modify protected sections of the file system. The vulnerability exploits the local attack vector, which means it necessitates local access to the machine.
Attack complexity is classified as low, indicating that an attacker does not require advanced skills to exploit this vulnerability. Privileges required are none, and user interaction is required, meaning a user needs to execute the malicious application for the attack to succeed.
In terms of impact, the vulnerability's exploitation could lead to significant integrity breaches while confidentiality and availability impacts are marked as none. This indicates that while data remains secure from unauthorized access, the integrity of the system could be compromised.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2025-24122 stems from the potential for unauthorized modifications to the file system, which could lead to further exploitation, such as privilege escalation or the installation of malicious software. Organizations should carefully evaluate the extent of their exposure, particularly if affected versions of macOS are in use.
The urgency assessment based on the CVSS score of 5.5 suggests that organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. Given that it is a medium-severity vulnerability, organizations may not feel immediate pressure to act but should not delay remediation to avoid potential exploitation.
The blast radius for this vulnerability is significant as it may affect a large number of Intel-based Mac users, especially in environments where older versions of macOS are still in use. Organizations are encouraged to implement monitoring and detection mechanisms to identify any abnormal activities related to this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include all macOS versions prior to the vendor patch: specifically, versions prior to 13.7.3, versions from 14.0 up to but not including 14.7.3, and versions from 15.0 to 15.3.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize applying the latest patches provided by Apple for macOS. The specific updates that address this vulnerability are available in macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, and macOS Ventura 13.7.3. Users should ensure that their systems are updated to these or later versions to mitigate the risks.
If patches cannot be applied immediately, organizations should implement additional security measures such as restricting application permissions and monitoring for unauthorized changes to the file system. Regular audits and security assessments can help identify potential vulnerabilities.
For organizations seeking comprehensive security assessments, consider using services like application security assessments to identify and address potential weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual file system activities, particularly those involving system configuration changes. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected application behavior or unauthorized access attempts should also be flagged.
Additionally, network signatures indicating attempts to exploit this vulnerability should be developed and deployed to enhance detection capabilities.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2025-24122 illustrates a critical area where organizations must focus on code-signing and integrity checks within their systems. The trend indicates an increasing need for stringent controls over application permissions and file system access.
Security teams should leverage this incident as a learning opportunity to enhance their security posture. Implementing a robust vulnerability management program can significantly reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities.
Additionally, continuous security assessments, such as continuous penetration testing, can help organizations stay ahead of vulnerabilities by identifying weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Finally, reviewing and updating incident response plans is essential to ensure that organizations are prepared to address potential exploits should they arise.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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