CVE-2025-24234
📋 TL;DR
A privilege escalation vulnerability in macOS allows malicious applications to gain root privileges. This affects macOS Ventura, Sequoia, and Sonoma systems running vulnerable versions. Apple addressed this by removing the vulnerable code in security updates.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
📦 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
Malicious application gains full root access, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Malicious application elevates privileges to root, allowing installation of additional malware, data exfiltration, or system modification.
If Mitigated
With proper application sandboxing and least privilege principles, impact is limited to the compromised application's context.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to install/run malicious application. No public exploit code 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: No
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings 2. Click General 3. Click Software Update 4. Install available security updates 5. Verify installation by checking macOS version
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Application Restriction
macOSRestrict installation of applications from unidentified developers and limit application permissions
sudo spctl --master-enable
sudo spctl --enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized applications from executing
- Enforce strict user privilege management and avoid administrative accounts for daily use
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version against affected versions: Ventura <13.7.5, Sequoia <15.4, Sonoma <14.7.5Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version is Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4, or Sonoma 14.7.5 or later📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events in system logs
- Unauthorized root access attempts
- Suspicious application installation
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from system processes
- Command and control traffic from elevated processes
SIEM Query:
source="macos_system_logs" AND (event="privilege_escalation" OR process="sudo" OR user="root")