CVE-2025-30450
📋 TL;DR
A macOS vulnerability involving improper symlink validation allows applications to access sensitive user data they shouldn't have permission to read. This affects macOS Ventura, Sequoia, and Sonoma systems before specific patch versions. The issue stems from insufficient access control checks when following symbolic links.
💻 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 app could read arbitrary user files including passwords, keys, documents, and other sensitive data stored in user directories.
Likely Case
Malware or compromised applications could exfiltrate user data from common locations like Documents, Desktop, Downloads, and application-specific directories.
If Mitigated
With proper app sandboxing and user permission controls, impact is limited to data accessible by the exploited application's permissions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires an app to be running on the target system. No public exploit code has been identified in the provided references.
🛠️ 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 App Installation
allOnly install apps from trusted sources and the Mac App Store
Use App Sandboxing
allEnsure applications run with appropriate sandboxing restrictions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to control which apps can run
- Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for suspicious file access patterns
🔍 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 file access patterns by applications
- Multiple failed file access attempts followed by successful access
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound data transfers from applications
SIEM Query:
process_access_file AND (file_path CONTAINS sensitive OR file_path CONTAINS .key OR file_path CONTAINS .pem)