CVE-2025-24135

Message Validation Flaw Allows Privilege Escalation in macOS Sequoia

Published Jan 27, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
This issue was addressed with improved message validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3. An app may be able to gain elevated privileges.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

The vulnerability stems from inadequate message validation that permits an application to send a crafted input to a system component, leading to elevated privileges. This flaw is classified as CWE‑276, which relates to improper enforcement of privilege restrictions. An attacker who can run or influence the vulnerable application may achieve unauthorized privilege escalation, compromising system integrity and confidentiality.

Affected Systems

Affected Apple macOS systems include versions prior to macOS Sequoia 15.3, which implements the fix. All earlier releases of Sequoia (e.g., 15.2 and earlier) remain susceptible until the update is applied. Users running older macOS iterations are at risk if they install or run applications that can exploit the message validation weakness.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates a high severity, but the EPSS score of below 1% suggests a very low probability of active exploitation at present. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, reinforcing its lower exploitation risk. Nevertheless, if deployed in an environment with untrusted applications, the flaw could be leveraged locally by sending malicious messages, so it should be patched promptly.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Install macOS Sequoia 15.3 or later to apply the improved message validation fix.
  • If an immediate upgrade is not feasible, restrict the launch of unverified third‑party applications by enabling Gatekeeper and enforcing the App Sandbox to prevent them from sending crafted messages.
  • Review application permissions and remove unnecessary elevated privileges for user‑level software to limit potential exploitation vectors.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 28, 2026 at 04:04 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-3643 This issue was addressed with improved message validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3. An app may be able to gain elevated privileges.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Message Validation Flaw Allows Privilege Escalation in macOS Sequoia
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-276
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-276
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-276
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description This issue was addressed with improved message validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3. An app may be able to gain elevated privileges.
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apple
Published
Updated
Apr 2, 2026, 6:14 PM
Reserved
Jan 17, 2025, 12:00 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Jan 27, 2025, 10:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 8:58 AM