Overview
The CVE-2025-24119 is a critical cybersecurity vulnerability that affects several versions of macOS. This flaw in the system enables an attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside of an app’s sandbox or with elevated privileges, leading to a significant security risk. This vulnerability has a far-reaching impact as it affects a vast number of macOS users across the globe, exposing their systems to potentially severe compromise and data leakage.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-24119
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
A new way to communicate
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Message, call, share files, and coordinate with identities kept separate.
- • Encrypted identity
- • Ameeba Chat authenticates access
- • Aliases and categories
- • End-to-end encrypted chat, calls, and files
- • Secure notes for sensitive information
Private communication, rethought.
Product | Affected Versions
macOS Sequoia | Versions before 15.3
macOS Ventura | Versions before 13.7.7
macOS Sonoma | Versions before 14.7.7
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability, CVE-2025-24119, is based on poor state management within the macOS system. In this scenario, an attacker utilizes an app to execute arbitrary code outside of its designated sandbox or with certain elevated privileges. This action is typically outside of the app’s regular confines, indicating a significant flaw in the system’s security measures.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. This pseudocode represents an unauthorized API request that triggers the arbitrary code execution.
POST /execute/code HTTP/1.1
Host: target_macOS.example.com
Content-Type: application/json
{ "arbitrary_code": "system('rm -rf /');" }Please note that the above example is a high-level representation of the potential exploit and does not represent an actual attack method. The actual exploit would likely involve complex manipulation of system APIs or processes.
A successful exploit could lead to a full system compromise or data leakage. The attacker could gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify system configurations, or even take control of the system. Given the widespread use of macOS, this vulnerability could potentially affect millions of users worldwide.
Remediation and Mitigation
Apple has addressed this issue through improved state management, with the fix incorporated in macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Ventura 13.7.7, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.7. Users are strongly advised to apply these patches as soon as possible. As a temporary mitigation, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) could help detect and prevent exploit attempts. However, these are only temporary measures and cannot substitute for patching the affected systems.