CVE-2025-43188 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS, specifically addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.6. The vulnerability arises from a permissions issue that allows a malicious application to escalate its privileges to root level. The root cause is related to improper permission restrictions, categorized under CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management). Exploitation requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no prior privileges (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), meaning an attacker gaining root privileges can fully control the system, access sensitive data, modify system files, and disrupt operations. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the presence of a reliable patch in macOS Sequoia 15.6 indicates Apple has addressed the issue. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to 15.6, implying a broad range of macOS users could be impacted if unpatched. The attack vector requires local access and user interaction, such as running a malicious app, which limits remote exploitation but still poses a significant risk especially in environments where users may install untrusted software or where endpoint security is lax.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially those relying on macOS devices for critical operations, development, or sensitive data handling. An attacker exploiting this flaw could gain root access, leading to full system compromise, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. This could result in intellectual property theft, disruption of business operations, and compliance violations under regulations like GDPR due to unauthorized data access. The requirement for local access and user interaction means insider threats or social engineering attacks could be primary exploitation vectors. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS devices are particularly vulnerable if devices are not promptly updated. Additionally, sectors such as finance, technology, and government agencies in Europe that use macOS extensively could face elevated risks from targeted attacks leveraging this vulnerability.

European organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the macOS Sequoia 15.6 update across all affected devices to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application control policies to prevent installation or execution of unauthorized or untrusted applications. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for privilege escalation attempts and suspicious local activity. User education programs should emphasize the risks of running unverified applications and the importance of timely updates. Additionally, applying the principle of least privilege to user accounts and restricting administrative rights can reduce the impact of potential exploitation. Regular auditing of macOS systems for compliance with security policies and monitoring logs for unusual privilege escalations will further enhance detection and prevention capabilities.