CVE-2025-46310
📋 TL;DR
A macOS privilege escalation vulnerability allows attackers with root access to delete protected system files, potentially causing system instability or denial of service. This affects macOS Sequoia and Sonoma systems before the patched versions.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise through deletion of critical system files leading to unbootable systems, data loss, or persistence mechanisms.
Likely Case
System instability, application failures, or denial of service from deletion of protected files by malicious root users.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls restrict root privileges and systems are regularly backed up.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires root privileges to exploit. No public exploit details available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/126349
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings 2. Click General 3. Click Software Update 4. Install available updates 5. Follow on-screen instructions
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict root access
allLimit root privileges to essential personnel only and implement least privilege principles.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized root access
- Monitor for suspicious file deletion activities and maintain regular backups
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is earlier than Sequoia 15.7.4 or Sonoma 14.8.4, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm macOS version is Sequoia 15.7.4 or Sonoma 14.8.4 or later in System Settings > General > About.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file deletion events in system logs, particularly for protected system files
- Multiple failed sudo attempts followed by successful root access
Network Indicators:
- None - local privilege escalation only
SIEM Query:
source="macos_system_logs" AND (event="file_deletion" AND path CONTAINS "/System/" OR path CONTAINS "/usr/")