CVE-2025-24153 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in Apple macOS. This vulnerability allows a buffer overflow issue, which has been addressed with improved memory handling. The issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3. Attackers may leverage applications with root privileges to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, posing a significant risk to affected systems.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.7, indicating a medium level of severity. The implications of this vulnerability extend to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, all of which are rated high. Organizations running vulnerable versions of macOS should consider this vulnerability a priority for remediation.
Given the nature of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Affected systems are those running macOS versions prior to 15.3. The potential for arbitrary code execution underscores the necessity of prompt action to mitigate risks.
The urgency of addressing this vulnerability is further emphasized by its classification under CWE-120, which relates to buffer errors. It is crucial for organizations to remain vigilant and ensure that their systems are up to date with the latest security patches.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability states: 'A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3. An app with root privileges may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.' The attack vector is local, and the attack complexity is low, requiring high privileges with no user interaction necessary.
The CVSS score of 6.7 reflects a medium severity designation. The attack vector is classified as local, with low complexity and high privileges required. The potential impacts are significant, with high scores for confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The affected product is macOS, with the vulnerability affecting all versions prior to the vendor patch in macOS Sequoia 15.3. The vulnerability was published on January 27, 2025, and has been classified under CWE-120.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of memory, leading to a buffer overflow condition. This could allow an attacker with the appropriate privileges to execute arbitrary code within the kernel space, potentially leading to a complete system compromise.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, which means that an attacker would need physical or authorized access to the system to exploit it. The attack complexity is low, indicating that it does not require highly specialized knowledge or skills to execute. The privileges required are high, meaning that the attacker must have administrative rights to the system.
User interaction is not required for this vulnerability to be exploited, which increases its risk profile. The potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated high, indicating that the exploitation of this vulnerability could severely affect the system's functionality and security.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access and control over affected systems. The blast radius could extend to any system running macOS versions prior to 15.3 that has applications with root privileges. This increases the urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability in their environments.
Given the CVSS score of 6.7 and the absence of any known exploitation in the wild, organizations should still treat this vulnerability with high priority. The potential for exploitation and the significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability make this a serious concern that requires immediate attention.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The effective management of this vulnerability will require not only applying the patch but also reviewing application configurations and permissions to ensure that no unnecessary applications are running with elevated privileges.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of macOS prior to 15.3 are affected by this vulnerability. It is crucial for organizations to identify and update any systems running vulnerable versions to the latest version to mitigate risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should upgrade to macOS Sequoia 15.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability. If the patch is unavailable, organizations should implement workarounds such as restricting the execution of applications with root privileges and monitoring system logs for any unusual activity.
Additionally, configuration hardening measures should be employed to minimize exposure. Network controls should be implemented to limit access to critical systems. Organizations can validate the effectiveness of their remediation efforts through penetration testing that exercises the patched code path.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor system logs for indicators of exploitation attempts related to buffer overflow issues. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected application crashes or abnormal resource usage, should be investigated promptly. Network signatures for known exploit attempts should also be established to detect potential intrusions.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-24153 lies in its representation of the ongoing challenges associated with memory management in software development. This vulnerability highlights the necessity for rigorous testing and validation processes to prevent similar issues in future software releases. Security teams should learn from this incident and implement more robust security practices in their development lifecycles.
Organizations can enhance their security posture by adopting a vulnerability management program that identifies and mitigates risks associated with known vulnerabilities effectively.
Moreover, adopting best practices for penetration testing methodology will further aid in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Lastly, the vulnerability emphasizes the importance of continuous security awareness and training for development teams to recognize potential security risks associated with their coding practices.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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