CVE-2025-30470
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a path handling vulnerability in Apple operating systems that could allow an app to read sensitive location information. The issue affects multiple Apple platforms including visionOS, macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Users running affected versions of these operating systems are vulnerable to potential location data exposure.
💻 Affected Systems
- visionOS
- macOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
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 access and exfiltrate precise location data without user consent, enabling tracking, surveillance, or location-based attacks.
Likely Case
Apps with legitimate permissions could potentially access more location data than intended, leading to privacy violations and data leakage.
If Mitigated
With proper app sandboxing and permission controls, impact is limited to apps already granted location access, reducing exposure scope.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed and executed on the target device. The app would need to bypass or abuse location permission mechanisms.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: visionOS 2.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/122371
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings app. 2. Navigate to General > Software Update. 3. Download and install the latest available update for your device. 4. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Location Permissions
allReview and restrict location permissions for all apps to minimum necessary level
Disable Location Services
allTemporarily disable location services for non-critical apps
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict app installation policies to prevent untrusted apps
- Deploy mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce location permission controls
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS version in Settings > General > About > Software VersionCheck Version:
On macOS: sw_vers. On iOS/iPadOS: Check in Settings > General > AboutVerify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in affected_systems📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual location permission requests
- Apps accessing location data without user interaction
- Multiple location API calls from single app
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected location data exfiltration to external servers
- Apps sending GPS coordinates to unusual destinations
SIEM Query:
source="apple_location_services" AND (event="permission_granted" OR event="data_access") AND app NOT IN ["trusted_apps_list"]🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122371
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122373
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122374
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122375
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122378
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/10
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/12
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/13
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/4
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/8
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Apr/9
