Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in Apple Operating Systems

CVE-2025-31222

What is CVE-2025-31222?

CVE-2025-31222 is a privilege escalation vulnerability affecting various operating systems developed by Apple, including macOS, watchOS, iOS, and iPadOS. This vulnerability stems from a correctness issue that could allow standard user accounts to elevate their privileges to that of an administrative user. Such a privilege escalation could enable an attacker, who may have already gained access to a vulnerable system, to perform unauthorized actions that would typically require higher privileges, such as installing malicious software, accessing sensitive files, or altering system settings. The vulnerability has been addressed in recent updates, including versions 11.5 for watchOS and 14.7.6 for macOS Sonoma, among others, emphasizing the importance of keeping systems up to date to mitigate this type of security risk.

Potential impact of CVE-2025-31222

1. Unauthorized System Access: The most significant impact of CVE-2025-31222 is the potential for unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges, which can lead to full control over affected devices. This may result in data exfiltration or tampering with sensitive information.

2. Increased Malware Vulnerability: With the ability to escalate privileges, an attacker could install and execute malware or ransomware on the system. This threat can lead to data encryption, loss of access to critical files, and the potential for widespread network infection.

3. Compliance and Security Breaches: Organizations that fail to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-31222 risk non-compliance with industry regulations and standards related to data protection. A successful exploitation could lead to significant reputational damage, legal ramifications, and financial losses due to data breaches.

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