CVE-2025-24234: Apple macOS Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2025-24234 Overview

CVE-2025-24234 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting Apple macOS. A malicious application running on an affected system can exploit the flaw to gain root privileges. Apple addressed the issue by removing the vulnerable code in macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and macOS Ventura 13.7.5.

The weakness is classified under [CWE-276] Incorrect Default Permissions. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction but no prior authentication, and successfully attacking the flaw fully compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host.

Critical Impact
A malicious app installed on a vulnerable macOS system may escalate to root, granting full control over the device and all user data.

Affected Products

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

Discovery Timeline

2025-03-31 - CVE-2025-24234 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24234

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2025-24234 is a local privilege escalation defect in macOS. Apple's advisory states the vendor addressed the issue by removing the vulnerable code. The flaw allows a malicious application already running on the system to obtain root privileges, bypassing the standard macOS privilege model that isolates user-level processes from administrative functions.

Because the attack vector is local and requires user interaction, exploitation typically depends on a user opening or installing a malicious application. Once the malicious code executes, it can leverage the underlying weakness to elevate from a standard user context to root without supplying credentials.

Apple has not released technical specifics about the affected component. Public disclosure was coordinated through the Apple security advisories and several posts to the Full Disclosure mailing list in April 2025.

Root Cause

The vulnerability is categorized as [CWE-276] Incorrect Default Permissions. This weakness class occurs when a resource is created or shipped with permissions that grant broader access than intended, allowing an unprivileged process to interact with privileged objects. Apple's wording, "addressed by removing the vulnerable code," indicates the responsible code path was excised rather than re-permissioned.

Attack Vector

An attacker must first deliver and execute a malicious application on the target macOS system. The attack is local in scope, with low attack complexity, and requires user interaction such as launching the application. No privileges are required to initiate exploitation. Once active, the malicious app abuses the misconfigured permissions to spawn or transition into a root context, after which it can install persistence, disable security tooling, or read protected files across the system.

No public proof-of-concept exploit code is currently associated with this CVE, and the issue is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24234

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected processes running as root that were spawned from user-writable directories such as /Users/<user>/Downloads, /tmp, or ~/Library/Application Support.
New or modified LaunchDaemons under /Library/LaunchDaemons/ or /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ created shortly after installation of an unsigned or unfamiliar application.
Unauthorized changes to files owned by root immediately following execution of a recently installed application.

Detection Strategies

Hunt for child processes of standard user applications that suddenly elevate to UID 0 without invoking sudo, osascript, or an authenticated AuthorizationExecuteWithPrivileges prompt.
Correlate application install events with subsequent privilege transitions, focusing on apps not signed by a trusted Developer ID or not delivered through the Mac App Store.
Inspect endpoints for macOS build numbers below 13.7.5, 14.7.5, and 15.4 to identify systems still exposed to the vulnerability.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Endpoint Security framework telemetry covering ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_EXEC and ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_SETUID to capture privilege transitions.
Forward unified log entries from com.apple.securityd, com.apple.authd, and com.apple.launchd to a centralized analytics platform for correlation.
Alert on creation of SUID/SGID binaries or new entries in /private/var/db/sudo outside of approved patch windows.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24234

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade affected systems to macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, or macOS Ventura 13.7.5 as soon as operationally feasible.
Inventory macOS endpoints by OS build and prioritize patching for systems used by administrators, developers, and privileged personnel.
Audit recently installed third-party applications and remove any that are unsigned, unverified, or no longer required.

Patch Information

Apple has released fixes in macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and macOS Ventura 13.7.5. Details are documented in Apple Security Support Article #122373, Apple Security Support Article #122374, and Apple Security Support Article #122375. Additional public discussion is available in the Full Disclosure Mailing List Post #8, Full Disclosure Mailing List Post #9, and Full Disclosure Mailing List Post #10.

Workarounds

Restrict installation of third-party applications by enforcing Gatekeeper settings that only allow software from the App Store or identified developers.
Apply Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies that block execution of unsigned binaries and require notarization for user-installed applications.
Operate macOS systems as standard users rather than administrators to reduce the blast radius of any local code execution prior to patching.

bash

# Verify macOS build to confirm the system is patched
sw_vers

# Expected ProductVersion values that include the fix:
#   13.7.5 (Ventura)
#   14.7.5 (Sonoma)
#   15.4   (Sequoia)

# Enforce Gatekeeper to allow only App Store and identified developers
sudo spctl --master-enable
spctl --status