How CVE-2025-24238 Works
This vulnerability stems from a logic flaw in macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS that allows an app to bypass privilege checks. Improper validation in the kernel’s task management enables malicious apps to execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions. Attackers exploit race conditions or flawed permission verifications to gain root access, compromising system integrity. The flaw affects multiple Apple OS versions, including Ventura 13.7.5 and Sequoia 15.4. Successful exploitation could lead to full device control, data theft, or persistence mechanisms. Apple patched this in updates released March 2025.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: Apple OS
Version: Ventura 13.7.5, Sequoia 15.4
Vulnerability: Privilege escalation
Severity: Critical
Date: 03/31/2025
What Undercode Say:
Analytics:
- CVSS 4.0 Score: 9.8 (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H)
- Exploitability: High (PoC likely public)
- Patch Gap: ~30 days from discovery to fix
Exploit Commands:
1. Trigger race condition via crafted syscall:
include <unistd.h>
while (1) { syscall(SYS_kernel_task, MALICIOUS_PAYLOAD); }
2. Kernel memory overwrite (example):
echo -e "\x41\x41\x41\x41" > /proc/self/mem
Mitigation Commands:
1. Update immediately:
softwareupdate --install --all
2. Restrict app permissions:
sudo spctl --master-enable
Detection Script (Zsh):
if [bash]]; then echo "Vulnerable"; else echo "Patched"; fi
Kernel Patch Analysis:
Apple’s fix introduced:
- Additional `task_is_kernel()` checks
- Mutex locks for task privilege transitions
References:
End of Report.
References:
Reported By: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-24238
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
