CVE-2025-24249
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a macOS sandbox bypass vulnerability that allows malicious applications to check for the existence of arbitrary file system paths. This affects macOS Ventura, Sequoia, and Sonoma users who haven't applied security updates. The vulnerability enables information disclosure about file system structure.
💻 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
An attacker could map the entire file system structure, identify sensitive files and directories, and use this information to plan further attacks or exfiltrate sensitive data.
Likely Case
Malicious applications could determine what software is installed, identify user data locations, or check for the presence of security tools to evade detection.
If Mitigated
With proper application sandboxing and least privilege principles, the impact is limited to path enumeration within the sandboxed environment.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious application to be installed and executed on the target system. Public disclosure suggests proof-of-concept code is available.
🛠️ 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 2. Click General 3. Click Software Update 4. Install available updates 5. Restart when prompted
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Application Sandbox Enforcement
allEnforce strict application sandbox policies to limit file system access
Application Allowlisting
allOnly allow trusted applications to run on affected systems
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application control policies to prevent untrusted applications from executing
- Monitor for suspicious application behavior and file system enumeration attempts
🔍 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 file system access patterns by applications
- Multiple failed path existence checks
- Sandbox violation logs
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="macos_system_logs" AND (event="sandbox_violation" OR process="*" AND action="file_check")