CVE-2025-43187 is a vulnerability in the Apple macOS operating system related to the hdiutil command-line utility, which is used for managing disk images. The vulnerability allows for unexpected arbitrary code execution when running an hdiutil command. This means that an attacker who can execute this command locally with limited privileges could potentially escalate their privileges or execute malicious code, compromising system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, increasing the risk of automated exploitation. Apple addressed this issue by removing the vulnerable code in macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, Ventura 13.7.7, and Sequoia 15.6. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high severity with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, meaning the attack requires local access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and results in high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's nature and impact make it a significant threat if weaponized. The affected versions are unspecified but presumably include all versions prior to the patched releases. The vulnerability's root cause is linked to the way hdiutil processes commands, leading to execution of arbitrary code unexpectedly. This flaw could be leveraged by malicious insiders or attackers who have gained limited local access to escalate privileges or execute persistent malware.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially those relying on Apple macOS systems for critical operations, such as government agencies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and technology companies. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, and potential lateral movement within networks. The ability to execute arbitrary code without user interaction and with low privileges increases the likelihood of exploitation in environments where local access is possible, such as shared workstations or compromised endpoints. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, potentially resulting in data breaches, system downtime, and loss of trust. Given the widespread use of macOS in certain European countries and sectors, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of organizations, increasing the risk of targeted attacks or insider threats leveraging this flaw.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigations: 1) Immediately apply the security updates released by Apple for macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, Ventura 13.7.7, and Sequoia 15.6 to remove the vulnerable code. 2) Restrict local access to macOS systems to trusted users only, employing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual local command executions. 3) Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous use of hdiutil or unexpected code execution patterns. 4) Conduct regular audits of user privileges and remove unnecessary local privileges to reduce the attack surface. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of local exploitation and encourage reporting of suspicious activity. 6) Employ application whitelisting or macOS-specific security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) to limit unauthorized code execution. 7) Monitor security advisories from Apple and threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploit reports related to this vulnerability.