CVE-2025-24122

MacOS File System Downgrade Privilege Escalation on Intel-Based Macs

Published Jan 27, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A downgrade issue affecting Intel-based Mac computers was addressed with additional code-signing restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, macOS Ventura 13.7.3. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

An application can modify protected parts of the file system on Intel-based Macs due to a downgrade issue that bypassed code‑signing restrictions. The flaw allows the writing of data outside the intended region, potentially overwriting critical system files. This amounts to a privilege escalation and integrity breach, enabling an attacker to install or modify software with elevated privileges.

Affected Systems

Apple macOS on Intel-based machines. The vulnerability is corrected in macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3 and macOS Ventura 13.7.3. Devices running earlier versions of these releases are susceptible.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 5.5 places the issue in the moderate severity range. The EPSS score of less than 1 % indicates a very low exploitation probability at the time of this analysis. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. The most likely attack vector is the installation of a malicious or compromised application, which can then write through the out‑of‑bounds write flaw to protected areas of the file system. The risk is mostly theoretical unless an attacker obtains a foothold via a malicious app.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Install the latest macOS update—Sequoia 15.3, Sonoma 14.7.3 or Ventura 13.7.3—to obtain the fix for the downgrade issue
  • Restart the system following the update to ensure the updated code‑signing restrictions are active
  • Configure Gatekeeper to allow only apps from the App Store or identified developers and use a policy to prevent installation of third‑party apps that bypass code‑signing restrictions

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 28, 2026 at 22:51 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-3633 A downgrade issue affecting Intel-based Mac computers was addressed with additional code-signing restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title MacOS File System Downgrade Privilege Escalation on Intel-Based Macs
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A downgrade issue affecting Intel-based Mac computers was addressed with additional code-signing restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system. A downgrade issue affecting Intel-based Mac computers was addressed with additional code-signing restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3, macOS Ventura 13.7.3. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apple
Apple macos
Weaknesses NVD-CWE-noinfo
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Apple
Apple macos
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-787
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A downgrade issue affecting Intel-based Mac computers was addressed with additional code-signing restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apple
Published
Updated
Jun 2, 2026, 4:02 PM
Reserved
Jan 17, 2025, 12:00 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Jan 27, 2025, 10:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 8:58 AM