CVE-2025-11921
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-11921 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in iStats (iStat Menus) where local unprivileged users can execute arbitrary commands with root privileges via command injection in an insecure XPC service. This affects macOS users running iStats version 7.10.4. Attackers can gain complete system control without authentication.
💻 Affected Systems
- iStats (iStat Menus)
⚠️ 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
Complete system compromise with root access, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, and lateral movement across the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to unauthorized administrative access, system configuration changes, and potential credential harvesting.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper privilege separation and application sandboxing are enforced, though local users could still gain elevated privileges.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access but no authentication. The vulnerability is in an XPC service that improperly validates input, allowing command injection.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 7.10.6
Vendor Advisory: https://bjango.com/mac/istatmenus/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download iStat Menus 7.10.6 from https://cdn.istatmenus.app/files/istatmenus7/versions/iStatMenus7.10.6.zip
2. Install the update
3. Restart the system to ensure all services are updated
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable iStats XPC Service
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable XPC service to prevent exploitation
sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.bjango.istatmenus.*.plist
Remove iStats Application
allUninstall iStats completely if not needed
sudo rm -rf /Applications/iStat\ Menus.app
sudo rm -rf /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.bjango.istatmenus.*.plist
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems running vulnerable iStats versions
- Implement strict privilege separation and monitor for suspicious process execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check iStats version in About iStat Menus or run: defaults read /Applications/iStat\ Menus.app/Contents/Info.plist CFBundleShortVersionStringCheck Version:
defaults read /Applications/iStat\ Menus.app/Contents/Info.plist CFBundleShortVersionStringVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 7.10.6 or higher using the same command📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual process execution from iStats XPC service
- Commands executed with root privileges from user accounts
- LaunchDaemon activity related to com.bjango.istatmenus
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local privilege escalation
SIEM Query:
process.name:"iStat Menus" AND process.parent.name:"launchd" AND user.name!="root"