Overview
A critical vulnerability, designated as CVE-2025-43249, has been identified in several versions of macOS. This vulnerability is a logic issue that, if exploited, could allow an application to gain root privileges. The potential for system compromise and data leakage makes this vulnerability a significant threat to all macOS users. The systems impacted are macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, and macOS Ventura 13.7.7. This article explores in detail what this vulnerability is, how it can be exploited, and guidance for mitigating its potential risks.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-43249
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: User
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
macOS Sequoia | 15.6
macOS Sonoma | 14.7.7
macOS Ventura | 13.7.7
How the Exploit Works
An attacker exploiting this vulnerability would need to manipulate an application to trigger the logic issue. This flaw could be exploited by a malicious app installed on the system, or by tricking a user into running a malicious script. Successful exploitation would allow the app or script to elevate its privileges to root, potentially compromising the system or leading to data leakage.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a conceptual shell command example of how the vulnerability might be exploited:
#!/bin/bash
# This is a conceptual example. The exact code depends on the specific application and system configuration.
echo "Malicious script running..."
app="target.app"
sudo -u user $app
echo "If vulnerable, $app is now running with root privileges."Mitigation Guidance
To address CVE-2025-43249, users should apply the vendor-provided patch. For macOS Sequoia, the patch is included in version 15.6.1; for macOS Sonoma and Ventura, the patch is included in versions 14.7.8 and 13.7.8, respectively. Applying these patches will fully mitigate this vulnerability.
In the absence of a patch, a web application firewall (WAF) or intrusion detection system (IDS) can provide temporary mitigation. These tools can detect and block the abnormal behavior associated with this exploit, though they may not fully prevent system compromise. As always, maintaining a robust, multi-layered cybersecurity strategy is the best way to protect against vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-43249.
