CVE-2025-11462
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in AWS VPN Client for macOS allows local users to escalate privileges to root by exploiting improper symlink validation during log rotation. Attackers can create symbolic links from log files to privileged locations, leading to arbitrary code execution when logs are rotated. Only macOS users running AWS VPN Client versions 1.3.2 through 5.2.0 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- AWS VPN Client for macOS
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local attacker gains full root privileges on the macOS system, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local user with basic access escalates to root privileges, potentially installing malware, accessing sensitive data, or modifying system configurations.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to isolated systems with quick detection and remediation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of symlink attacks. The attacker needs to create crafted API calls to inject code into log files.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: AWS VPN Client for macOS 5.2.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://aws.amazon.com/security/security-bulletins/AWS-2025-020/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open AWS VPN Client on macOS. 2. Check for updates in application settings. 3. Download and install version 5.2.1 or later. 4. Restart the application. 5. Verify the update completed successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable AWS VPN Client
macosTemporarily disable or uninstall the AWS VPN Client until patching is possible.
sudo rm -rf /Applications/AWS\ VPN\ Client.app
sudo pkill -f 'AWS VPN Client'
Restrict Log Directory Permissions
macosSet restrictive permissions on AWS VPN Client log directories to prevent symlink creation.
sudo chmod 700 ~/Library/Logs/AWSVPNClient
sudo chown root:wheel ~/Library/Logs/AWSVPNClient
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove local user access from systems running vulnerable AWS VPN Client versions.
- Implement strict monitoring for privilege escalation attempts and unusual root activity on macOS systems.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the AWS VPN Client version in the application's About section or run: defaults read /Applications/AWS\ VPN\ Client.app/Contents/Info.plist CFBundleShortVersionStringCheck Version:
defaults read /Applications/AWS\ VPN\ Client.app/Contents/Info.plist CFBundleShortVersionStringVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the version is 5.2.1 or higher using the same command and ensure the application runs without errors.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual symlink creation in ~/Library/Logs/AWSVPNClient directory
- Privilege escalation attempts from AWS VPN Client processes
- Unexpected root-level file modifications during log rotation
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability
SIEM Query:
process_name:"AWS VPN Client" AND event_type:"privilege_escalation" OR file_path:"~/Library/Logs/AWSVPNClient/*" AND action:"symlink_creation"