CVE-2025-24277 Overview
CVE-2025-24277 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Apple macOS caused by improper parsing of directory paths. A malicious application can leverage the path handling flaw to gain root privileges on affected systems. Apple addressed the issue through improved path validation in macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and macOS Ventura 13.7.5. The weakness is classified as [CWE-276] Incorrect Default Permissions and requires local access with user interaction to exploit. Successful exploitation grants full control of the operating system, including the ability to read, modify, and destroy any data on the device.
Critical Impact
An application running with standard user privileges can escalate to root, allowing complete compromise of the macOS host.
Affected Products
- Apple macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.4
- Apple macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.7.5
- Apple macOS Ventura versions prior to 13.7.5
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-31 - CVE-2025-24277 published to NVD
- 2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-24277
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from a parsing flaw in how macOS handles directory paths. The affected code does not validate paths correctly before performing privileged operations. An attacker who can place crafted directory structures on the file system can trick the operating system into treating attacker-controlled locations as trusted system paths. This category of File System Vulnerability allows code running as a normal user to influence operations that execute with elevated privileges. The result is a local privilege escalation from a standard user context to root, which is the highest privilege level on macOS.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper path validation [CWE-276] in a system component that processes directory paths. Insufficient canonicalization or sanitization of path strings allows components to follow unintended paths during privileged operations. Apple's fix introduces stricter path validation logic to reject malformed or attacker-influenced inputs before privileged actions occur.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, such as launching a malicious application. The attacker delivers an app that crafts directory structures or path inputs designed to bypass path validation. When the vulnerable component processes those paths, the operation runs with elevated privileges against attacker-chosen targets. The end state is arbitrary code execution as root, enabling persistence, credential theft, and security control bypass.
No public proof-of-concept code is currently associated with this CVE. Technical analysis of related disclosures is available in the Full Disclosure mailing list postings from April 2025.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24277
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected creation of files or symbolic links in privileged directories such as /Library, /System, or /private/var by non-root processes.
- Processes spawned by standard user applications that transition to a uid=0 (root) context without an authenticated sudo or authopen invocation.
- Newly installed launch daemons in /Library/LaunchDaemons originating from user-installed applications.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Endpoint Security framework events for ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_EXEC and ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_SETUID calls that correlate with user-launched applications.
- Audit file system telemetry for path traversal patterns, symlinks pointing into protected directories, and renames of directories under privileged process control.
- Baseline normal application behavior and alert on user-space binaries performing privileged file operations outside of Apple-signed installers.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable unified logging with the com.apple.securityd and com.apple.kernel subsystems and forward logs to a centralized analysis pipeline.
- Track macOS version inventory and flag endpoints still running macOS Sequoia below 15.4, Sonoma below 14.7.5, or Ventura below 13.7.5.
- Correlate user-initiated application launches with subsequent privileged file system modifications to surface escalation attempts.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24277
Immediate Actions Required
- Update affected hosts to macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, or macOS Ventura 13.7.5 without delay.
- Restrict installation of untrusted applications and enforce Gatekeeper and notarization policies across the fleet.
- Audit endpoints for unauthorized launch daemons, agents, and binaries with the setuid bit set.
Patch Information
Apple released fixes through improved path validation. Refer to the official advisories: Apple Support Document #122373, Apple Support Document #122374, and Apple Support Document #122375. Apply these updates through Software Update or your mobile device management (MDM) platform.
Workarounds
- No vendor-supplied workaround exists; patching is the only complete remediation.
- Limit local accounts on shared macOS hosts and enforce least privilege for daily user accounts.
- Block execution of unsigned or unknown applications through MDM configuration profiles until all endpoints are patched.
# Verify the installed macOS version against patched releases
sw_vers -productVersion
# Trigger software update enumeration and install available patches
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.
