This blog post aims to provide a detailed examination of the vulnerability dubbed CVE-2025-24174, which affected macOS computers. This vulnerability, if exploited, could allow an app to bypass the privacy preferences set by the user, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data. We will delve into the specifics of the exploit, the coding issue that caused the vulnerability, the systems affected, and how Apple resolved the problem with patches and improved checks. We will also provide links to the original references for those interested in digging deeper into the issue.

The Vulnerability (CVE-2025-24174)

CVE-2025-24174 is a vulnerability present in certain macOS versions that can be exploited by a malicious application to bypass the user's privacy preferences in order to access sensitive data without authorization. This represents a significant security risk, as the user might be unaware of the unauthorized access and could potentially have their private information compromised.

The following macOS versions were found to be vulnerable to the CVE-2025-24174 exploit

* macOS Ventura 13.7.2 and earlier
* macOS Sequoia 15.2 and earlier
* macOS Sonoma 14.7.2 and earlier

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability lies in the way macOS handles certain API (Application Programming Interface) calls made by applications. When an application requests access to sensitive data, macOS performs a series of checks to determine whether the app should be granted access based on the user's privacy preferences. However, due to an error in these checks, malicious applications can craft specific API calls that bypass the intended privacy preference checks, allowing them to access the user's private data without permission.

A code snippet showing the problematic checks in action could look like this

bool check_access(App app, Data data) {
  if (user_gave_explicit_permission(app, data)) {
    return true;
  }
  if (app_has_special_access(app, data)) {
    return true;  // This check should not be present
  }
  return false;
}

In this simplified example, the faulty app_has_special_access check would allow the app to bypass the user's privacy preferences, thereby granting unauthorized access to the requested data.

Resolution: Improved Checks and Patches

To fix the CVE-2025-24174 vulnerability, Apple provided updates for the affected macOS versions that include improved checks to ensure that privacy preferences are properly enforced:

* macOS Ventura 13.7.3
* macOS Sequoia 15.3
* macOS Sonoma 14.7.3

The updated systems now correctly handle the API calls and ensure that no bypassing of privacy preferences occurs when granting access to sensitive data. The improved access-checking function after patching the vulnerability would look like this:

bool check_access(App app, Data data) {
  if (user_gave_explicit_permission(app, data)) {
    return true;
  }
  /* The problematic check has been removed */
  return false;
}

Users of the affected macOS systems should update to the latest corresponding version as soon as possible to protect against any potential exploitation of this vulnerability.

Conclusion and Original References

CVE-2025-24174 highlights the importance of properly enforcing privacy preferences when it comes to sensitive data access in macOS systems. Apple quickly addressed the vulnerability by providing patches for the affected macOS versions and implementing an improved check mechanism to prevent similar bypass issues in the future. For more details on the vulnerability and its resolution, the following resources can be consulted:

* Apple's Security Update Announcement
* CVE-2025-24174 Details on the National Vulnerability Database

Remember to always keep your systems up-to-date and regularly review your privacy preferences to ensure your sensitive data remains protected.

Timeline

Published on: 01/27/2025 22:15:20 UTC
Last modified on: 03/03/2025 22:45:11 UTC