CVE-2025-24119: macOS Sandbox Escape Vulnerability Allows Arbitrary Code Execution
This blog post details a critical vulnerability, CVE-2025-24119, affecting macOS. This flaw allows a malicious application to break out of its designated sandbox and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This could lead to significant system compromise.
🔍 TL;DR Summary
A sandbox escape vulnerability (CVE-2025-24119) in macOS allows apps to execute code outside their sandbox with elevated permissions. Apple has released patches for macOS Sequoia 15.3, Ventura 13.7.7, and Sonoma 14.7.7 to address this issue. Update your systems immediately to mitigate the risk.
🚨 Vulnerability Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-24119
- Description: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code out of its sandbox or with certain elevated privileges due to an issue addressed through improved state management.
- CVSS Score and Vector:
- CVSS 3.1 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)
- CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Explanation: This vulnerability has a high severity score because it can be exploited locally without user interaction by a low-privileged user. Successful exploitation leads to high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.
- Exploit Requirements: Requires local access and low privileges. No user interaction is needed.
- Affected Vendor, Product, Version:
- Vendor: Apple
- Product: macOS
- Versions: Affected versions are prior to macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Ventura 13.7.7, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.7.
- CWE:
- CWE ID: CWE-269
- CWE Name: Improper Privilege Management
- Explanation: CWE-269 refers to a vulnerability where the software does not properly manage or enforce the necessary privileges, allowing unintended access or modification of resources.
📅 Timeline of Events
- 2025-07-30: CVE-2025-24119 Published by Apple.
- 2025-07-30: Patches released for macOS Sequoia 15.3, Ventura 13.7.7, and Sonoma 14.7.7.
🧠 Exploitability & Real-World Risk
This vulnerability is highly exploitable, especially if a user downloads and runs a malicious application. The ability to escape the sandbox allows attackers to gain full control over the system. In a real-world scenario, this could be chained with other vulnerabilities for a more impactful attack. Given the widespread use of macOS, the potential impact is significant.
🛠️ Recommendations
- Immediate Action: Update to macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Ventura 13.7.7, or macOS Sonoma 14.7.7 immediately.
- Best Practices:
- Only install applications from trusted sources.
- Keep your operating system and software up to date.
- Be cautious when granting applications elevated privileges.
🧪 Technical Insight
The vulnerability stems from an issue in state management within macOS. By exploiting this flaw, an application can bypass the security restrictions imposed by the sandbox, gaining unauthorized access to system resources and executing arbitrary code. The improved state management in the patched versions ensures proper enforcement of security policies, preventing sandbox escapes.
🙌 Credit to Researcher(s)
Apple credited internal researchers for discovering and reporting this vulnerability.
🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/122068
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124150
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/124151
🧵 Tags
#macOS #CVE-2025-24119 #SandboxEscape #ArbitraryCodeExecution #AppleSecurity #Patch
Summary: CVE-2025-24119 is a critical sandbox escape vulnerability in macOS that allows an application to execute arbitrary code outside of its sandbox with elevated privileges. Apple has released updates to address this issue in macOS Sequoia 15.3, Ventura 13.7.7, and Sonoma 14.7.7. Users are strongly advised to update their systems immediately to mitigate the risk.
CVE ID: CVE-2025-24119
Risk Analysis: Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to data theft, malware installation, or complete system compromise. This presents a significant risk to both individual users and organizations.
Recommendation: Users should update their macOS installations to the latest versions (macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Ventura 13.7.7, or macOS Sonoma 14.7.7) as soon as possible to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Timeline
- 2025-07-30: CVE-2025-24119 was published and patches were released by Apple.