CVE-2025-43304

Root Privilege Escalation via Race Condition in macOS State Handling

Published Sep 15, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 7 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Tahoe 26. An app may be able to gain root privileges.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

A race condition in macOS state handling was identified that can allow an application to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This flaw, classified as CWE‑362, enables developers or malicious apps to orchestrate a delicate timing race, potentially causing the operating system to elevate the process to root. Once root is gained, the attacker has full control of the system, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Affected Systems

Apple macOS versions before Sequoia 15.7, before Sonoma 14.8, and before Tahoe 26 are affected. Devices running these older releases are susceptible unless patched by installing the latest OS update that contains the race‑condition fix.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7 indicates a high severity vulnerability, while the EPSS score of less than 1% suggests that it is unlikely to be widely exploited at present. The flaw is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, reducing immediate threat awareness. However, the nature of a race condition, combined with the ability to gain root, means that local attackers or compromised applications could succeed. Because the exploit requires precise timing and concurrent operations, it is more complex than a simple remote exploit, but the potential damage is severe.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Install macOS Sequoia 15.7, Sonoma 14.8, or Tahoe 26, whichever applies, to apply the official race‑condition fix.
  • Update or replace any third‑party applications that interact with the affected state handler to ensure they are compatible with the new OS and do not attempt to trigger the race.
  • If an immediate OS upgrade is not feasible, employ monitoring for abnormal privilege escalation events and enforce strict local privilege restrictions until the patch can be applied.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 27, 2026 at 23:52 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-29280 A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Tahoe 26. An app may be able to gain root privileges.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Root Privilege Escalation via Race Condition in macOS State Handling
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Sequoia 15.7. An app may be able to gain root privileges. A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Tahoe 26. An app may be able to gain root privileges.
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Tahoe 26. An app may be able to gain root privileges. A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Sequoia 15.7. 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
First Time appeared Apple
Apple macos
Apple macos Sequoia
Apple macos Sonoma
Apple macos Tahoe
Vendors & Products Apple
Apple macos
Apple macos Sequoia
Apple macos Sonoma
Apple macos Tahoe
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-362
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Tahoe 26. An app may be able to gain root privileges.
References
Weaknesses
  • CWE-362

    Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition')

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apple
Published
Updated
Apr 2, 2026, 6:25 PM
Reserved
Apr 16, 2025, 3:24 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Sep 15, 2025, 11:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 9:23 AM