Recently, a security vulnerability has surfaced with the identifier CVE-2025-24134, which exposes an information disclosure issue in macOS platforms. This particular vulnerability allows an app to access user-sensitive data, thereby compromising the user’s privacy. Fortunately, Apple has addressed this critical issue by enhancing privacy controls in its latest macOS Sequoia 15.3 update.

In this post, we will dive deeper into the exploit details, code snippets, and how macOS Sequoia 15.3 mitigates the vulnerability. By understanding these aspects, developers can take proactive measures to ensure their applications do not inadvertently expose user-sensitive information.

Exploit Details

The vulnerability is precisely an information disclosure issue that occurs when an app running on macOS fails to enforce privacy controls adequately. As such, an attacker can create a malicious app to exploit the vulnerability, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data. Consequently, the following file types and data storage locations are potentially exploitable:

Location services

The exploitation occurs when an app does not validate the appropriate access permissions, leading to information disclosure. For instance, consider the following code snippet for accessing the user's Photo Library:

func accessPhotoLibrary() {
    let imagePickerController = UIImagePickerController()
    imagePickerController.delegate = self
    imagePickerController.sourceType = .photoLibrary
    present(imagePickerController, animated: true, completion: nil)
}

In this example, the image picker controller does not validate if the app has permission to access the user's Photo Library, leading to a potential privacy breach.

Fix in macOS Sequoia 15.3

Apple has acknowledged this vulnerability and its implications on user privacy. As such, they have implemented improved privacy controls in macOS Sequoia 15.3 to safeguard sensitive user data. The update ensures that apps validate the required access permissions before accessing specific data storage types or locations.

To illustrate, refer to the following updated code snippet that accurately validates access permissions before accessing the user's Photo Library:

import Photos

func accessPhotoLibrary() {
    let status = PHPhotoLibrary.authorizationStatus()
    
    if status == .authorized {
        presentImagePickerController()
    } else {
        PHPhotoLibrary.requestAuthorization { (newStatus) in
            if newStatus == .authorized {
                DispatchQueue.main.async {
                    self.presentImagePickerController()
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

func presentImagePickerController() {
    let imagePickerController = UIImagePickerController()
    imagePickerController.delegate = self
    imagePickerController.sourceType = .photoLibrary
    present(imagePickerController, animated: true, completion: nil)
}

In this revised example, the app correctly checks the authorization status before accessing the user's Photo Library. Consequently, this mitigates the risk of information disclosure by ensuring that malicious apps cannot exploit unauthorized access to user-sensitive data.

For more information on this vulnerability, its impact, and mitigation strategies, consult the following resources:

1. Apple Security Update - macOS Sequoia 15.3
2. CVE-2025-24134 - National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
3. Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Calculator

Conclusion

Considering the risk associated with information disclosure vulnerabilities such as CVE-2025-24134, it is essential to take proactive measures to protect sensitive user data. With the improved privacy controls implemented in macOS Sequoia 15.3, Apple has provided ample support in ensuring apps do not inadvertently compromise user privacy. By understanding and incorporating these changes, developers can create applications that diligently enforce privacy controls and safeguard their users' information.

Timeline

Published on: 01/27/2025 22:15:18 UTC
Last modified on: 03/03/2025 22:45:38 UTC