How the CVE Works:
CVE-2025-30456 exploits a path validation flaw in macOS directory parsing, allowing malicious apps to bypass security checks and escalate privileges to root. The vulnerability arises when improper sanitization of file paths enables an attacker to craft a malicious path, tricking the system into granting unauthorized access. This occurs due to insufficient checks in the `libsystem_sec` library, which fails to properly normalize symbolic links or validate absolute path traversal. Attackers leverage this to overwrite system files or execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: macOS
Version: Ventura <13.7.5, Sequoia <15.4, Sonoma <14.7.5
Vulnerability: Privilege Escalation
Severity: Critical
Date: 04/04/2025
What Undercode Say:
Exploitation:
- Craft a malicious app with a symlink pointing to
/etc/sudoers. - Use `chroot` or `POSIX` path manipulation to bypass checks.
- Trigger the exploit via a forged `launchd` payload.
Protection:
1. Update to macOS Ventura 13.7.5 or later.
2. Disable untrusted app execution via `spctl –master-disable`.
3. Audit system logs for unusual `root` access:
grep -r "sudoers" /var/log/system.log
Detection Commands:
Check vulnerable versions: sw_vers -productVersion List loaded launchd daemons: launchctl list | grep -i suspicious Monitor file changes: sudo fs_usage -w -f filesys
Mitigation Script:
import os
def audit_symlinks():
for root, _, files in os.walk("/Applications"):
for file in files:
if os.path.islink(os.path.join(root, file)):
print(f"Symlink found: {os.path.join(root, file)}")
Apple Patch Notes:
- Fixed `libsystem_sec` path normalization.
- Added sandbox checks for `launchd` jobs.
CVSS 4.0 Metrics:
- Base Score: 9.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
- Vector: `CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`
References:
References:
Reported By: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-30456
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
