Description
A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. 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.
Published: 2025-07-29
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Privilege Escalation
Action: Patch Immediately
AI Analysis

Impact

A path handling flaw was identified in macOS that could allow a malicious application to manipulate file paths and gain root privileges. The flaw is based on improper validation of path inputs, a classic directory traversal weakness (CWE‑22). Apple addressed the vulnerability with enhanced input checks in macOS Sequoia 15.6, Sonoma 14.7.7, and Ventura 13.7.7.

Affected Systems

The affected products are Apple macOS operating systems. Versions released before macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, and macOS Ventura 13.7.7 are vulnerable. All earlier macOS releases retain the path handling flaw until the specified patched releases.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates a high severity. EPSS is reported as < 1%, suggesting low current exploitation probability, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. An attacker can install a crafted application that exploits the path handling issue to elevate privileges to root. The attack vector is inferred to be a local or application‑based exploitation rather than remote.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 28, 2026 at 00:30 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Install macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, or macOS Ventura 13.7.7 to apply the security patch that fixes the path validation flaw.
  • Until the update is applied, block execution of untrusted or unfamiliar applications that might use the vulnerable path handling code.
  • Keep system integrity protection enabled and review audit logs for attempts to invoke privileged operations at unanticipated times.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 28, 2026 at 00:30 UTC.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories
Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-23082 A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. 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.
History

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Path Handling Vulnerability Allowing Root Privilege Escalation in macOS

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
References

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 21:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-22
Metrics 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'}

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:15:00 +0000

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

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. 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.
References

Subscriptions

Apple Macos Macos Sequoia Macos Sonoma Macos Ventura
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: apple

Published:

Updated: 2026-04-02T18:18:15.604Z

Reserved: 2025-04-16T15:24:37.087Z

Link: CVE-2025-43196

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2025-11-03T19:59:51.272Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Modified

Published: 2025-07-30T00:15:32.483

Modified: 2025-11-03T20:18:51.063

Link: CVE-2025-43196

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-28T00:45:17Z

Weaknesses