CVE-2025-24253
📋 TL;DR
A macOS vulnerability allows malicious applications to bypass symlink protections and access protected user data. This affects macOS Ventura, Sequoia, and Sonoma versions before specific security updates. All users running vulnerable macOS versions are at risk.
💻 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
Full compromise of sensitive user data including passwords, encryption keys, and personal files through a malicious application.
Likely Case
Malicious apps stealing user credentials, financial data, or other sensitive information stored in protected directories.
If Mitigated
Limited data exposure if application sandboxing and other macOS security controls partially contain the breach.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user to run a malicious application. The vulnerability involves symlink handling bypass, which is typically straightforward to exploit once understood.
🛠️ 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
Restrict Application Installation
allOnly install applications from trusted sources like the Mac App Store or identified developers
Enable Gatekeeper
macOSEnsure Gatekeeper is enabled to block apps from unidentified developers
sudo spctl --master-enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to restrict which applications can run
- Use macOS privacy controls to limit application access to sensitive directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > AboutCheck 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:
- Unusual symlink creation in protected directories
- Applications accessing files outside their sandbox
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from applications that shouldn't need network access
SIEM Query:
process where (parent.process.name contains "symlink" or process.args contains "symlink") and file.path contains "/Users/"