CVE-2025-30462: Apple macOS Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2025-30462 Overview

CVE-2025-30462 is a library injection vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows applications appearing to use App Sandbox to launch without the expected security restrictions. This improper access control flaw (CWE-284) undermines one of macOS's fundamental security mechanisms, potentially enabling malicious applications to escape sandbox containment and execute with elevated privileges.

The vulnerability exists in the library loading mechanism where insufficient validation allows injected libraries to bypass App Sandbox enforcement. Attackers could exploit this to gain unauthorized access to system resources, user data, and functionality that should be restricted by sandbox policies.

Critical Impact

Malicious applications can bypass App Sandbox restrictions entirely, allowing unrestricted system access and potential complete system compromise on vulnerable macOS systems.

Affected Products

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

Discovery Timeline

• March 31, 2025 - CVE-2025-30462 published to NVD
• November 3, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-30462

Vulnerability Analysis

This library injection vulnerability represents a significant breakdown in macOS security architecture. The App Sandbox is designed to limit an application's access to system resources, file systems, and user data—acting as a containment mechanism even if an application is compromised. CVE-2025-30462 allows attackers to circumvent these protections entirely.

The vulnerability stems from improper access control (CWE-284) in how macOS validates and enforces sandbox restrictions during library loading. When a malicious or compromised application loads specially crafted libraries, the system fails to properly apply the expected sandbox constraints, allowing the process to operate with unrestricted permissions.

This type of sandbox escape is particularly dangerous because it undermines the fundamental trust model of macOS application security. Users may believe an application is safely sandboxed when it actually operates with full system access.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient validation during the library injection process. macOS failed to properly enforce App Sandbox restrictions when loading dynamic libraries, creating a gap where sandboxed applications could effectively operate without containment. Apple addressed this by implementing additional restrictions in the library loading mechanism.

Attack Vector

The attack can be conducted over the network without requiring user authentication or interaction. An attacker could deliver a malicious application that appears to be properly sandboxed but actually executes with unrestricted system access. The exploitation process involves:

1. Crafting an application that declares App Sandbox entitlements
2. Including or loading libraries that trigger the validation bypass
3. Executing code that operates outside sandbox restrictions
4. Accessing protected system resources, user data, or sensitive functionality

The vulnerability is particularly concerning for distribution via the Mac App Store or other trusted channels, where users expect applications to be sandboxed.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30462

Indicators of Compromise

• Applications accessing resources outside their declared sandbox entitlements
• Unusual library loading patterns in sandboxed applications
• Processes with App Sandbox entitlements accessing sensitive system paths without proper authorization
• Unexpected network connections from applications that should have limited network access

Detection Strategies

• Monitor sandbox-exec and related sandbox enforcement logs for unusual denials or bypasses
• Implement endpoint detection to identify applications performing actions inconsistent with their declared entitlements
• Review system logs for library loading anomalies in applications marked as sandboxed
• Deploy behavioral analysis to detect processes accessing resources beyond their expected scope

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable and centralize macOS Unified Logging for security-related events
• Configure alerts for applications accessing sensitive directories like ~/Library/Keychains/ or /etc/ without appropriate entitlements
• Monitor for unusual dylib loading patterns using tools like fs_usage or commercial EDR solutions
• Regularly audit installed applications for unexpected capability usage

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30462

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all macOS systems to the patched versions: macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, or macOS Ventura 13.7.5
• Review installed applications for any suspicious behavior or unexpected resource access
• Enable Gatekeeper and ensure only trusted applications from identified developers are installed
• Consider restricting application installations to Mac App Store only until patching is complete

Patch Information

Apple has released security updates addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these patches:

• macOS Sequoia 15.4 - See Apple Support Document #122373
• macOS Sonoma 14.7.5 - See Apple Support Document #122374
• macOS Ventura 13.7.5 - See Apple Support Document #122375

Additional technical details are available in the Full Disclosure mailing list posts from April 8, April 9, and April 10, 2025.

Workarounds

• Limit application installations to vetted, trusted sources until patching is complete
• Enable macOS System Integrity Protection (SIP) if not already active
• Use MDM solutions to restrict which applications can be installed on managed devices
• Consider application allowlisting to prevent execution of untrusted binaries

# Verify macOS version to confirm patch status
sw_vers -productVersion

# Check if System Integrity Protection is enabled
csrutil status

# Review recent application launches for suspicious sandbox behavior
log show --predicate 'subsystem == "com.apple.sandbox"' --last 1d