CVE-2025-30461 is a critical security vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically related to the system pasteboards, which are used for copy-paste operations between applications. The vulnerability arises from insufficient sandbox restrictions on these pasteboards, allowing a malicious or compromised application to bypass normal access controls and read protected user data that should be inaccessible. This flaw is categorized under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), indicating that the system fails to properly enforce authorization checks before granting access to sensitive resources. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the release of macOS Sequoia 15.4, where Apple has implemented additional sandbox restrictions to mitigate the issue. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.8 (critical), with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, meaning the attack can be performed remotely over the network, requires no privileges or user interaction, and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a high degree. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the vulnerability's characteristics make it highly exploitable and dangerous. An attacker could leverage this flaw to access sensitive user data, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized data manipulation, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability underscores the importance of sandboxing and strict access control enforcement in modern operating systems to protect user data from unauthorized access by applications.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-30461 is substantial, especially for those relying on macOS devices for daily operations, including enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure sectors. The ability for an unprivileged app to access protected user data can lead to significant data breaches involving personal information, intellectual property, or confidential communications. This can result in regulatory penalties under GDPR due to unauthorized data exposure. The integrity and availability impacts mean attackers could alter or disrupt system operations, potentially affecting business continuity. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation without user interaction increases the risk of widespread compromise, especially in environments where application vetting is insufficient or where users may install untrusted software. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive patching and mitigation before active exploitation occurs. However, the critical severity demands urgent attention to prevent potential targeted attacks against high-value European entities.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.4 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Enforce strict application control policies, such as using Apple’s notarization and Gatekeeper features, to prevent installation of untrusted or malicious applications. 3. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual access to system pasteboards or inter-process communication channels. 4. Educate users about the risks of installing software from unverified sources and encourage adherence to organizational software policies. 5. Regularly audit installed applications and remove any that are unnecessary or suspicious. 6. For organizations with sensitive data, consider additional sandboxing or containerization strategies to isolate critical applications. 7. Monitor security advisories from Apple and threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit reports related to this vulnerability. 8. Integrate macOS patch management into broader IT asset management to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all devices.