Arbitrary file overwrite via improper path validation
Published Jan 27, 2025 · Updated May 21, 2026
Path traversal in Apple macOS allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files through System Settings using a malicious app. Apple identifies inadequate path validation in System Settings but has not disclosed the affected operation or path source. The attack requires execution of an attacker-controlled app and user interaction; the reported consequence is limited to file overwrite.
Summary
What happened
Path traversal in Apple macOS allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files through System Settings using a malicious app. Apple identifies inadequate path validation in System Settings but has not disclosed the affected operation or path source. The attack requires execution of an attacker-controlled app and user interaction; the reported consequence is limited to file overwrite.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-54520
- Published
- Jan 27, 2025
- Updated
- May 21, 2026
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- macOS
- Classifications
- CWE-22, CWE-787, T1565.001
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 27, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 21, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <13.7.2
- Affected versionversion=0 <14.7.2
- Affected versionversion=0 <15.2
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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