CVE-2025-24172
📋 TL;DR
A sandbox escape vulnerability in Apple Mail allows malicious email content to bypass the 'Block All Remote Content' security setting. This could enable remote code execution when previewing specially crafted emails. Affects macOS Ventura, Sequoia, and Sonoma users who haven't applied security updates.
💻 Affected Systems
- Apple Mail
📦 What is this software?
Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with full system compromise when user previews malicious email, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Malicious actors could execute arbitrary code in the context of the Mail app, potentially accessing local files, contacts, and other sensitive data accessible to the Mail sandbox.
If Mitigated
With proper controls, the impact is limited to the Mail sandbox environment, though sensitive data within Mail's permissions could still be compromised.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (previewing email) but no authentication. No public proof-of-concept available at time of analysis.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/122373
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Install available security updates. 3. Restart computer when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Mail Previews
macosPrevent automatic email previews that could trigger the vulnerability
Open Mail > Settings > Viewing > uncheck 'Show most recent message in preview'
Use Webmail Interface
allAccess email through web browser instead of native Mail app
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable Apple Mail entirely and use alternative email clients
- Implement strict email filtering to block suspicious attachments and remote content
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is Ventura <13.7.5, Sequoia <15.4, or Sonoma <14.7.5, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version shows Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, or Sonoma 14.7.5 or later in System Settings > General > About.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual Mail process behavior in system logs
- Crash reports from Mail.app
- Unexpected network connections from Mail process
Network Indicators:
- Mail process making unexpected external connections when 'Block All Remote Content' is enabled
- DNS requests for suspicious domains from Mail process
SIEM Query:
process_name:"Mail" AND (event_type:"process_creation" OR network_connection) AND NOT destination_ip IN [allowed_ips]