How the CVE Works:
CVE-2025-24178 is a critical sandbox escape vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems, including macOS, iOS, and tvOS. The flaw stems from improper state management in the application sandbox, allowing a malicious app to bypass restrictions and execute arbitrary code outside its confined environment. Attackers exploit this by manipulating system processes or file permissions, leading to privilege escalation or unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables lateral movement within the system, potentially compromising kernel integrity. Apple patched this in macOS Ventura 13.7.5, iOS 18.4, and related updates.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: Apple OS
Version: <13.7.5/17.7.6/18.4
Vulnerability: Sandbox Escape
Severity: Critical
Date: 03/31/2025
What Undercode Say:
Exploitation:
- Craft a malicious app with embedded payloads targeting sandbox APIs.
- Abuse improper state handling via race conditions or file descriptor leaks.
- Use `task_for_pid()` or `mach_vm_` calls to gain elevated privileges.
Protection:
1. Apply Apple’s patches immediately.
2. Disable unnecessary app permissions via `spctl –master-disable`.
3. Monitor sandboxed processes with:
sudo log stream --predicate 'eventMessage contains "sandbox"'
Detection Commands:
Check installed macOS version: sw_vers -productVersion List running sandboxed processes: ps -eo pid,comm | grep sandboxd
Mitigation Script (Pre-Patch):
!/bin/zsh Restrict app execution to App Store only defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.security GKAutoRearm -bool true
Exploit PoC (Theoretical):
include <mach/mach.h>
// Hypothetical sandbox escape via task port manipulation
kern_return_t exploit() {
mach_port_t task;
task_for_pid(mach_task_self(), target_pid, &task);
mach_vm_write(task, address, payload, payload_size);
return KERN_SUCCESS;
}
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to unusual ports from sandboxed apps.
- Anomalous `com.apple.xpc` logs.
References:
References:
Reported By: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-24178
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
