CVE-2025-31259
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a privilege escalation vulnerability in macOS where improper input sanitization allows an application to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects macOS systems before version 15.5 (Sequoia). Attackers could exploit this to execute code with higher privileges than intended.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker gains root privileges on the system, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Malicious applications or compromised legitimate apps gain elevated privileges to bypass security controls, install malware, or access protected resources.
If Mitigated
With proper application sandboxing, least privilege principles, and updated systems, impact is limited to the sandboxed application's context.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires an attacker to have an app running on the target system. No public proof-of-concept has been disclosed at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Sequoia 15.5
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/122716
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings 2. Click General 3. Click Software Update 4. Install macOS Sequoia 15.5 update 5. Restart when prompted
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Application Sandboxing Enforcement
allEnforce strict application sandboxing policies to limit what applications can access
Application Allowlisting
allImplement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized applications from executing
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application control policies to only allow trusted, signed applications
- Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version: If version is earlier than 15.5, system is vulnerableCheck Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version is 15.5 or later after applying update📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events in system logs
- Applications requesting elevated privileges unexpectedly
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from privileged processes
SIEM Query:
source="macos_system_logs" event_type="privilege_escalation" OR process_name="sudo" OR process_name="su"