CVE-2025-24274 Overview
CVE-2025-24274 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting Apple macOS. The flaw stems from an input validation issue [CWE-20] that Apple addressed by removing the vulnerable code. A malicious application running on an affected system can exploit this weakness to gain root privileges, breaking out of the standard user privilege boundary.
Apple resolved the issue in macOS Sequoia 15.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, and macOS Ventura 13.7.6. The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, but no user interaction, making it a viable post-compromise escalation path for attackers who have already established initial access.
Critical Impact
A malicious app can gain root privileges on unpatched macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia systems, granting full control of the affected host.
Affected Products
- Apple macOS Ventura (versions prior to 13.7.6)
- Apple macOS Sonoma (versions prior to 14.7.6)
- Apple macOS Sequoia (versions prior to 15.5)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-12 - CVE-2025-24274 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-24274
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2025-24274 is an input validation vulnerability [CWE-20] in Apple macOS. Apple's advisory states the issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code entirely, indicating the affected routine handled attacker-controlled input in a manner that could not be safely sanitized. Successful exploitation allows a malicious application to escalate privileges from a standard user context to root.
Once root is obtained, an attacker can disable security controls, load kernel extensions where permitted, tamper with system binaries, install persistence mechanisms, and access data belonging to other users. This class of local escalation is commonly chained after initial access from phishing, drive-by downloads, or supply chain compromise of a signed application.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation of input processed by a privileged macOS component. Apple has not published component-level technical details, but the resolution — removal of the vulnerable code path — suggests the functionality was either deprecated or fundamentally unsafe. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact are all rated high because root access on macOS grants complete control over the operating system.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires a local attacker to execute a malicious application on the target system. No user interaction is required beyond running the malicious binary, and the attacker only needs low-privileged access to begin. This makes the vulnerability well-suited as the second stage of a multi-step attack chain, where an initial payload delivered through social engineering or a browser exploit uses CVE-2025-24274 to obtain root.
For technical details, refer to the Full Disclosure Mailing List post #7, post #8, and post #9.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24274
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected processes running with uid=0 (root) that were spawned from user-owned application bundles under /Users/ or /Applications/.
- New or modified files in root-owned system locations such as /Library/LaunchDaemons/, /private/etc/, or /usr/local/bin/ created shortly after a user application launch.
- Unsigned or ad-hoc signed binaries executing with elevated privileges outside expected system paths.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for privilege transitions where a child process runs as root but its parent was a standard user process.
- Alert on macOS AuthorizationExecuteWithPrivileges calls and XPC service invocations originating from non-Apple-signed applications.
- Correlate installer, application launch, and subsequent LaunchDaemon or LaunchAgent creation events to surface persistence attempts following escalation.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Collect and retain macOS Endpoint Security Framework (ESF) events, unified log entries, and process ancestry data in a centralized platform.
- Track patch compliance to confirm hosts are running macOS Ventura 13.7.6, Sonoma 14.7.6, or Sequoia 15.5 or later.
- Baseline expected privileged operations for managed macOS fleets and alert on deviations, especially root process spawns from user-writable directories.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24274
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Apple macOS endpoints to macOS Sequoia 15.5, macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, or macOS Ventura 13.7.6 as applicable.
- Prioritize patching for developer workstations, administrator laptops, and any macOS systems handling sensitive data or credentials.
- Audit installed third-party applications and remove software from untrusted sources that could deliver a malicious payload.
Patch Information
Apple has released fixed versions across three supported macOS trains. Deployment details are available in Apple Security Update 122716, Apple Security Update 122717, and Apple Security Update 122718. Apple addressed the flaw by removing the vulnerable code path rather than adding additional validation.
Workarounds
- No vendor-supplied workaround exists; applying the security update is the only supported remediation.
- Restrict application execution using Gatekeeper, notarization enforcement, and mobile device management (MDM) policies that block unsigned binaries.
- Enforce least privilege on end-user accounts and remove local administrator rights where not operationally required to raise the cost of chaining local exploits.
# Verify installed macOS version meets the patched baseline
sw_vers -productVersion
# Trigger a software update check via CLI (requires admin)
sudo softwareupdate --list
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
