CVE-2025-8597

Local code injection via get-task-allow entitlement

Published Aug 26, 2025 · Updated Aug 26, 2025

Improper access control in MacVim before r181.2 allows local users to read or modify process memory and inject code through a debugger. Signed release builds embed the com.apple.security.get-task-allow entitlement, allowing task_for_pid() access that defeats Hardened Runtime protections. Exploitation requires unprivileged local access; access remains limited to permissions already granted to MacVim, while new resources trigger a user prompt.

CVSS severity4.8
Medium
EPSS probability0.14%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper access control in MacVim before r181.2 allows local users to read or modify process memory and inject code through a debugger. Signed release builds embed the com.apple.security.get-task-allow entitlement, allowing task_for_pid() access that defeats Hardened Runtime protections. Exploitation requires unprivileged local access; access remains limited to permissions already granted to MacVim, while new resources trigger a user prompt.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-8597
Published
Aug 26, 2025
Updated
Aug 26, 2025
Vendor
MacVim
Product
MacVim
Classifications
CWE-497, CAPEC-233, T1055
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 26, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 26, 2025Record 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <r181.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

MacVim · MacVimversion=0 <r181.2

Published CVSS scores

4.8CERT.PLCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-497Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere
CAPEC-233Privilege Escalation
T1055Process Injection

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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