CVE-2025-24228: Apple macOS Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2025-24228 Overview

CVE-2025-24228 is a buffer overflow vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows a local application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple addressed the issue through improved memory handling in macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and macOS Ventura 13.7.5. The flaw is classified under [CWE-125] (Out-of-bounds Read) and requires local access along with user interaction to exploit. Successful exploitation grants an attacker the highest level of privilege on the operating system, effectively compromising the entire host. The vulnerability was published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) on March 31, 2025.

Critical Impact
A malicious application running locally can trigger the buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code at kernel level, resulting in full compromise of the affected macOS system.

Affected Products

Apple macOS Ventura versions prior to 13.7.5
Apple macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.7.5
Apple macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.4

Discovery Timeline

March 31, 2025 - CVE-2025-24228 published to the National Vulnerability Database
March 31, 2025 - Apple releases security patches in macOS Sequoia 15.4, Sonoma 14.7.5, and Ventura 13.7.5
April 8-10, 2025 - Details disseminated through Full Disclosure mailing list
June 17, 2026 - Last updated in the NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24228

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2025-24228 is a memory corruption flaw in a macOS kernel-adjacent component. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during memory operations, allowing an attacker-controlled input to write beyond an allocated buffer. Apple resolved the issue with improved memory handling across three supported macOS release trains.

Exploitation requires an attacker to run a crafted application on the target system, and user interaction is a prerequisite. Once triggered, the overflow can be leveraged to corrupt adjacent kernel memory structures, enabling arbitrary code execution in ring 0. This bypasses the userland privilege boundary and any application sandbox controls that rely on kernel enforcement.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of buffer boundaries within an affected macOS kernel routine, mapped to [CWE-125]. When the vulnerable code path processes input larger than the destination buffer, memory adjacent to the buffer is overwritten. Apple's advisories describe the fix as improved memory handling, indicating the introduction of stricter bounds enforcement on the affected allocation path.

Attack Vector

A local attacker must convince a user to run a malicious application on the target macOS host. The application invokes the vulnerable code path with crafted parameters that overflow a kernel-accessible buffer. Because the exploit runs against a kernel structure, successful memory corruption yields kernel-mode code execution — a suitable primitive for chaining with sandbox escapes, kernel rootkit installation, or persistence at the boot layer. Refer to Apple support documents 122373, 122374, and 122375 for the affected component list.

// No verified public proof-of-concept is available.
// The vulnerability manifests when an unchecked length value causes a write
// past the end of a kernel-mapped buffer, corrupting adjacent structures
// that are later interpreted as executable pointers or control data.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24228

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected kernel panics or system crashes correlated with the launch of an unsigned or newly installed application.
Presence of unsigned, ad-hoc signed, or notarization-bypassing binaries in user-writable locations such as /tmp, ~/Downloads, or ~/Library/Application Support.
New or modified kernel extensions (.kext) or system extensions loaded outside standard software update workflows.
Anomalous entries in /var/log/system.log or unified logging around kernel_task referencing memory faults after third-party app execution.

Detection Strategies

Inventory macOS endpoints and flag hosts running Ventura below 13.7.5, Sonoma below 14.7.5, or Sequoia below 15.4.
Alert on execution of unsigned binaries or applications lacking valid notarization tickets, especially those spawned from browsers or messaging clients.
Correlate application launches with subsequent kernel panic reports collected from /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/.

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest macOS Endpoint Security telemetry (ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_EXEC, ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_KEXTLOAD) into a centralized analytics platform.
Monitor for privilege escalation patterns such as a normal user process being followed by activity that requires root or kernel access.
Track new persistence artifacts in LaunchDaemons, LaunchAgents, and configuration profiles after suspected exploitation.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24228

Immediate Actions Required

Update all Apple macOS endpoints to macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, or macOS Ventura 13.7.5 without delay.
Restrict installation of applications to those distributed through the Mac App Store or signed and notarized by identified developers using Gatekeeper policy.
Audit endpoint inventories for hosts still running vulnerable macOS builds and prioritize patching for administrator and developer workstations.

Patch Information

Apple published fixes on March 31, 2025 across three supported macOS branches. Patch details are documented in Apple Support Document 122373 (macOS Sequoia 15.4), Apple Support Document 122374 (macOS Sonoma 14.7.5), and Apple Support Document 122375 (macOS Ventura 13.7.5). Deploy the updates through your managed software update service or MDM.

Workarounds

Enforce Gatekeeper in its strictest configuration to block execution of unsigned or non-notarized applications.
Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) restriction payloads to prevent standard users from installing untrusted software.
Limit local user privileges and remove administrator rights from accounts that do not require them, reducing the pool of accounts able to run arbitrary applications.

bash

# Verify installed macOS version and confirm patch state
sw_vers -productVersion

# Trigger a software update check and install available updates
sudo softwareupdate --list
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart

# Confirm Gatekeeper is enabled to reduce risk from untrusted apps
spctl --status