CVE-2025-31259 Overview
CVE-2025-31259 is a privacy vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows a local application to capture a screenshot of another app as it enters or exits full screen mode. Apple addressed the issue with improved checks and shipped fixes in macOS Sequoia 15.5, macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, and macOS Tahoe 26. The weakness is categorized under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation and stems from insufficient enforcement of screen capture boundaries during window state transitions.
Critical Impact
A local application can silently capture screen content from other applications during full screen transitions, exposing sensitive data such as credentials, documents, and messaging content without user consent.
Affected Products
- Apple macOS Sequoia prior to 15.5
- Apple macOS Sequoia prior to 15.7 and macOS Sonoma prior to 14.8
- Apple macOS Tahoe prior to 26
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-12 - CVE-2025-31259 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2025-05-12 - Apple publishes Apple Security Advisory #122716 with patch information
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-31259
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a privacy issue in macOS window management. When an application transitions into or out of full screen mode, the operating system briefly exposes window content in a way that another locally running app can capture through the screenshot APIs. The exposure occurs during the animated transition, when normal screen recording permission enforcement is insufficient to isolate the target application's contents from other running processes.
Apple's advisory describes the fix as "a privacy issue was addressed with improved checks," indicating the patch tightens validation around which processes can observe or record screen buffers during transitional window states. The underlying weakness maps to [CWE-20], as macOS did not sufficiently validate the state of the requesting client against the target window's transition state.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input validation during the window state machine's transition to and from full screen presentation. During this interval, the display server exposes frame data that should have remained restricted to the owning application, allowing another local process holding standard screen access to acquire imagery of protected windows.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires a local, authenticated attacker running code on the target macOS host. A malicious or compromised application polls or subscribes to screen capture events, then correlates capture attempts with full screen enter or exit transitions of a targeted application. No user interaction with the malicious app is required beyond the initial execution. Because the trigger is a normal user activity, such as launching a full screen video, presentation, or password prompt, the attacker can reliably obtain sensitive imagery over time. Technical details are documented in Apple Security Advisory #122716 and the corresponding Full Disclosure May 2025 post.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-31259
Indicators of Compromise
- Unsigned or unnotarized applications invoking CGWindowListCreateImage, CGDisplayStream, or ScreenCaptureKit APIs outside of expected user-initiated workflows.
- Non-interactive processes maintaining long-lived screen capture sessions with no visible UI or user consent prompt.
- Unexpected TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) database entries granting screen recording rights to newly installed or unknown bundles.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory macOS endpoints and identify hosts running versions earlier than macOS Sequoia 15.5, macOS Sonoma 14.8, or macOS Tahoe 26.
- Baseline expected applications with screen recording entitlements and alert on additions to /Library/Application Support/com.apple.TCC/TCC.db.
- Correlate process launches invoking screen capture frameworks with window state change events to surface anomalous capture timing.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Log and review installations of applications requesting Screen Recording permission through TCC prompts.
- Track macOS version compliance across the fleet using an MDM solution such as Jamf, Intune, or Kandji.
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for unsigned binaries loading ScreenCaptureKit.framework or CoreGraphics capture APIs.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-31259
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all macOS endpoints to macOS Sequoia 15.5 or 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, or macOS Tahoe 26, whichever applies to the installed release train.
- Audit and revoke Screen Recording permissions for any application that does not require them for a documented business purpose.
- Restrict installation of third-party applications to signed and notarized software distributed through trusted channels.
Patch Information
Apple released fixes in macOS Sequoia 15.5, macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, and macOS Tahoe 26. Patch and product information is available in Apple Security Advisory #122716, Apple Security Advisory #125110, Apple Security Advisory #125111, and Apple Security Advisory #125112.
Workarounds
- No official workaround eliminates the flaw; the vendor patch is the authoritative remediation.
- Limit the number of local user accounts on shared macOS hosts to reduce the population of processes able to invoke screen capture APIs.
- Where feasible, enforce application allowlisting via MDM configuration profiles to prevent execution of unapproved binaries capable of leveraging screen capture frameworks.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
