CVE-2025-31243

Permissions flaw enabling root privilege escalation in macOS

Published Jul 29, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.7. An app may be able to gain root privileges.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions, and the flaw is known to allow an application to gain root privileges. The primary impact is the elevation of an app’s authority from a regular user to the system administrator level, which could enable the installation or execution of arbitrary code with full control over the affected machine.

Affected Systems

Apple’s macOS operating system is affected. The defect was fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, and macOS Ventura 13.7.7, so any earlier releases—including Sequoia 15.5, Sonoma 14.7.6, and Ventura 13.7.6—remain vulnerable.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates a high severity level, while the EPSS score of less than 1 % shows a very low likelihood of real‑world exploitation. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA’s KEV catalog. Based on the description, it is inferred that the attack vector would be local, requiring that an attacker either install or run a malicious program on the target macOS system. No remote exploitation path is explicitly described, so a local privilege‑escalation scenario is most plausible.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Install the vendor’s patch by upgrading macOS to Sequoia 15.6, Sonoma 14.7.7, or Ventura 13.7.7.
  • If an update cannot be performed, configure Gatekeeper to block unsigned or untrusted applications and allow only apps from the App Store or identified developers.
  • Monitor system logs for unexpected privileged executions and enforce the principle of least privilege on user accounts and services to reduce potential impact if exploitation occurs.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 28, 2026 at 10:59 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-23107 A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.7, macOS Sequoia 15.6. An app may be able to gain root privileges.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Permissions flaw enabling root privilege escalation in macOS
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.7, macOS Sequoia 15.6. An app may be able to gain root privileges. A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.7. An app may be able to gain root privileges.
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-269
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/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
First Time appeared Apple
Apple macos
Apple macos Sequoia
Apple macos Sonoma
Apple macos Ventura
Vendors & Products Apple
Apple macos
Apple macos Sequoia
Apple macos Sonoma
Apple macos Ventura
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.7, macOS Sequoia 15.6. An app may be able to gain root privileges.
References
Weaknesses
  • CWE-269

    Improper Privilege Management

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apple
Published
Updated
Apr 2, 2026, 6:10 PM
Reserved
Mar 27, 2025, 4:13 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Jul 30, 2025, 12:15 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 9:10 AM