CVE-2025-30461 is a critical security vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.4. The vulnerability arises from insufficient sandbox restrictions on the system pasteboards, which are components responsible for managing clipboard data. Due to this flaw, a malicious or compromised application can bypass normal sandboxing constraints and access protected user data stored in the clipboard without requiring any privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), indicating that the system failed to properly enforce access control policies. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the high severity, with an attack vector over the network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no exploits have been observed in the wild yet, the potential for unauthorized data access is significant, especially since clipboard data often contains sensitive information such as passwords, personal identifiers, or confidential documents. The patch introduced in macOS Sequoia 15.4 applies additional sandbox restrictions to the system pasteboards, preventing unauthorized applications from accessing clipboard contents. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust sandboxing and access control mechanisms in operating systems to protect user data from unauthorized access by applications.

The impact of CVE-2025-30461 is substantial for organizations and individual users relying on macOS systems. Exploitation allows an attacker-controlled application to silently access sensitive clipboard data, which may include passwords, authentication tokens, personal information, or confidential business data. This breach of confidentiality can lead to identity theft, unauthorized access to corporate resources, and data leakage. The integrity of user data is also at risk if malicious applications modify clipboard contents or use the data to manipulate user sessions. Availability could be affected if attackers leverage the vulnerability to disrupt normal clipboard operations or escalate attacks. Given the vulnerability requires no privileges or user interaction, it can be exploited remotely or through malicious apps distributed via software repositories or social engineering. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology, where sensitive data protection is critical, face heightened risks. The widespread use of macOS in developed economies and among professionals increases the potential attack surface globally.

To mitigate CVE-2025-30461, organizations and users should immediately update all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.4 or later, where the vulnerability is patched with enhanced sandbox restrictions on system pasteboards. Beyond patching, implement strict application whitelisting and code signing policies to prevent installation of untrusted or malicious applications that could exploit clipboard access. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual clipboard access patterns or suspicious app behaviors. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and the importance of minimizing sensitive data copied to the clipboard. Consider deploying data loss prevention (DLP) tools that monitor and restrict clipboard data flows, especially in high-security environments. Regularly audit and review installed applications and their permissions related to clipboard access. For organizations with custom macOS deployments, apply configuration profiles that limit clipboard sharing and inter-application communication where feasible. Finally, maintain robust incident response plans to quickly identify and remediate any exploitation attempts.