Advisory Details

May 21st, 2025

Apple XNU kernel vm_map Race Condition Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

ZDI-25-305
ZDI-CAN-24156

CVE ID CVE-2025-31219
CVSS SCORE 8.8, AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
AFFECTED VENDORS Apple
AFFECTED PRODUCTS XNU kernel
VULNERABILITY DETAILS

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Apple macOS. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the handling of virtual memory allocations in the macOS kernel. The issue results from the lack of proper locking when performing operations on an object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the kernel.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS Apple has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/122716
DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
  • 2025-02-13 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2025-05-21 - Coordinated public release of advisory
  • 2025-05-21 - Advisory Updated
CREDIT Michael DePlante (@izobashi) and Lucas Leong (@_wmliang_) of Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative
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