Ethical Hacking News
A recent discovery by Microsoft highlights a vulnerability in Apple’s Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) framework on macOS, allowing attackers to bypass protections that are designed to protect user data. This vulnerability could expose sensitive information from protected directories such as the Downloads folder or Photos folders, leading to serious security concerns for users of Apple devices.
A serious vulnerability was discovered in Apple's Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) framework on macOS, allowing attackers to bypass protections that safeguard user data. The TCC framework is designed to manage app access to sensitive data and system resources, but the vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to access protected areas like Downloads folders or Apple Intelligence caches. A proof-of-concept tool called Sploitlight demonstrated that attackers can access sensitive files without TCC permissions using custom Spotlight plugins. The vulnerability highlights the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard user data from unauthorized access in an evolving threat landscape.
Microsoft has recently uncovered a serious vulnerability in Apple's Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) framework on macOS, allowing attackers to bypass the protections that are designed to safeguard user data. This discovery comes as a significant concern for users of Apple devices, who can now be vulnerable to exploitation by malicious actors.
The TCC framework is an essential component of the macOS operating system, responsible for managing how apps access sensitive data and system resources. It requires applications to request explicit user permission before they can access certain types of information or system features. This design ensures that users have full control over their data and settings, which is a critical aspect of maintaining privacy.
However, this framework is not foolproof. Microsoft researchers discovered a vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-31199, which was patched by Apple in March with the release of macOS Sequoia 15.4. This vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass TCC protections and access user data from protected areas such as Downloads folders or Apple Intelligence caches.
The researchers found that Spotlight, a built-in search tool on macOS, utilizes plugins called .mdimporters to index files. These run in sandboxed processes but have privileged file access. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker could log private file contents without needing TCC permissions. The attackers could also bypass security settings by modifying the metadata of an unsigned Spotlight plugin and forcing it to load.
To demonstrate the exploitability of this vulnerability, Microsoft researchers developed a proof-of-concept tool called Sploitlight. This tool shows that by using custom Spotlight plugins, attackers can access sensitive files without TCC permissions.
Apple's approach to sandboxing Spotlight plugins is intended to prevent privileged file access. On modern macOS systems, Spotlight plugins are not even permitted to read or write any file other than the one being scanned. However, this approach appears insufficient according to Microsoft researchers.
“The ability to further exfiltrate private data from protected directories, such as the Downloads folder and Apple Intelligence caches, is particularly alarming due to the highly sensitive nature of the information that can be extracted, including geolocation data, media metadata, and user activities,” concludes a report. “The implications of this vulnerability are even more extensive given the remote linking capability between devices using the same iCloud account, enabling attackers to determine more remote information about a user through their linked devices. Understanding the implications of TCC bypass vulnerabilities is essential for building proactive defenses that safeguard user data from unauthorized access.”
This recent discovery highlights the ongoing importance of staying vigilant in the face of evolving threats. As technology advances and new vulnerabilities emerge, users must be prepared to adapt and take steps to protect themselves.
In conclusion, the recently discovered vulnerability in Apple's TCC framework on macOS has significant implications for user data security. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard against emerging threats.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Apples-TCC-Vulnerability-A-Growing-Concern-for-User-Data-Security-ehn.shtml
https://securityaffairs.com/180503/hacking/microsoft-uncovers-macos-flaw-allowing-bypass-tcc-protections-and-exposing-sensitive-data.html
Published: Tue Jul 29 01:31:43 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
