CVE-2025-46285: Apple macOS Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2025-46285 Overview

CVE-2025-46285 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Apple operating systems caused by an integer overflow in timestamp handling. Apple addressed the issue by adopting 64-bit timestamps. A malicious application running on an affected device can exploit the flaw to gain root privileges, fully compromising the operating system. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-190] (Integer Overflow or Wraparound) and affects multiple Apple platforms, including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.

Critical Impact

An app may be able to gain root privileges on affected Apple devices, enabling full local compromise.

Affected Products

• Apple macOS Sequoia (prior to 15.7.3), Sonoma (prior to 14.8.3), and Tahoe (prior to 26.2)
• Apple iOS and iPadOS (prior to 18.7.3 and 26.2)
• Apple tvOS 26.2, visionOS 26.2, and watchOS 26.2

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-12-12 - CVE-2025-46285 published to NVD
• 2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-46285

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from an integer overflow in code that processed timestamp values using a fixed-width integer type. When timestamp arithmetic exceeded the representable range, the resulting wraparound produced values that violated assumptions made by downstream logic. Apple resolved the defect by widening the affected timestamp representation to 64 bits, eliminating the overflow condition.

Successful exploitation grants root privileges, allowing an attacker to bypass system protections, modify protected resources, install persistent components, and access sensitive user data. The flaw requires local access and low privileges but no user interaction.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified as [CWE-190] Integer Overflow or Wraparound. The original implementation used a smaller integer type to hold timestamp data, allowing values to wrap and produce inconsistent state. This inconsistency can be leveraged by an attacker-controlled application to manipulate privileged code paths.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires a local, low-privileged application running on the targeted Apple device. The malicious app triggers the overflow condition through normal API interactions that propagate the corrupted timestamp into privileged components. No user interaction is required, and the attack does not cross network boundaries.

Apple did not publish exploit details, and no public proof-of-concept code is available. Technical specifics are documented in the Apple Support Advisory #125884 and related advisories.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-46285

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected processes running with root or system-level privileges originating from user-installed applications.
• New or modified files in system-protected directories following execution of recently installed apps.
• Unsigned or unexpected LaunchDaemons, LaunchAgents, or kernel extensions appearing after app installs.

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for processes that transition from standard user context to root without a corresponding legitimate authentication event.
• Audit Endpoint Security framework telemetry for es_event_exec and es_event_setuid events tied to non-Apple-signed binaries.
• Correlate application installation events with privilege escalation activity across managed Apple endpoints.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Inventory macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS device versions to identify unpatched systems.
• Forward macOS Unified Log data and Endpoint Security events to a centralized SIEM for retrospective analysis.
• Alert on installation of applications from outside trusted distribution channels on managed devices.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-46285

Immediate Actions Required

• Update macOS Sequoia to 15.7.3, macOS Sonoma to 14.8.3, and macOS Tahoe to 26.2.
• Update iOS and iPadOS devices to 18.7.3 or 26.2, and update tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS to 26.2.
• Restrict installation of untrusted applications on managed Apple endpoints until patches are applied.

Patch Information

Apple released fixes across the affected platform versions. Refer to the official advisories for build numbers and release notes: Apple Support Advisory #125887 and Apple Support Advisory #125888. Additional related advisories include #125884, #125885, #125886, #125889, #125890, and #125891.

Workarounds

• No vendor-supplied workaround exists; patching is the only supported remediation.
• Enforce application allowlisting through MDM policies to limit execution of untrusted code.
• Disable installation of apps from unknown developers and enforce Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection.