CVE-2025-21606

8.7 HIGH 0.3% exploit odds Fix listed Code execution OS & kernel

What it is

stats is a macOS system monitor in for the menu bar. The Stats application is vulnerable to a local privilege escalation due to the insecure implementation of its XPC service. The application registers a Mach service under the name `eu.exelban.Stats.SMC.Helper`. The associated binary, eu.exelban.Stats.SMC.Helper, is a privileged helper tool designed to execute actions requiring elevated privileges on behalf of the client, such as setting fan modes, adjusting fan speeds, and executing the `powermetrics` command. The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the `shouldAcceptNewConnection` method, which unconditionally returns YES (or true), allowing any XPC client to connect to the service without any form of verification. As a result, unauthorized clients can establish a connection to the Mach service and invoke methods exposed by the HelperTool interface. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to modify the hardware settings of the user’s device and execute arbitrary code with root privileges. This issue has been addressed in version 2.11.21 and all users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
Exploit odds: 0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2025-01-17 21:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-17 08:43 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 0.3% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 8.7 HIGH (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2025-01-17 21:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 08:43 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-345
Record status: Deferred

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 8.7

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Attack requirements: None
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: Passive
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Raw vector

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

Is it in your code?

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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record