CVE-2025-43188 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that stems from a permissions issue allowing privilege escalation. Specifically, a malicious application can exploit this flaw to gain root-level privileges, effectively bypassing normal security controls. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-269, which relates to improper privileges management. Apple addressed this issue in macOS Sequoia 15.6 by implementing additional restrictions to tighten permission handling and prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects a high severity level, with the vector indicating the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature means that once exploited, an attacker could fully compromise the system, access sensitive data, modify or delete files, and disrupt system operations. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to Sequoia 15.6, so all users running earlier versions are potentially vulnerable. This flaw is particularly concerning for environments where macOS devices are used for sensitive or critical operations, as root access grants complete control over the system.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-43188 can be severe. Organizations relying on macOS devices for daily operations, especially in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, could face significant risks if this vulnerability is exploited. An attacker gaining root privileges can bypass all security mechanisms, leading to data breaches, intellectual property theft, disruption of services, and potential lateral movement within networks. The confidentiality of sensitive personal and corporate data could be compromised, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations, resulting in legal and financial penalties. Integrity of systems and data could be undermined, affecting trust and operational reliability. Availability could also be impacted if attackers deploy destructive payloads or ransomware. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users may be tricked into running malicious applications. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity necessitates urgent attention.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to macOS Sequoia 15.6 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and control policies to prevent installation or execution of unauthorized or untrusted applications. 3. Educate users on the risks of running unverified applications and the importance of avoiding suspicious downloads or email attachments. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting unusual privilege escalation attempts or suspicious local activity. 5. Restrict physical and local access to macOS devices, especially in sensitive environments, to reduce the risk of exploitation requiring local presence. 6. Regularly audit and monitor system logs for signs of privilege escalation or unauthorized root access attempts. 7. Enforce the principle of least privilege for user accounts and avoid granting unnecessary administrative rights. 8. Maintain up-to-date backups to enable recovery in case of compromise. 9. Coordinate with IT security teams to review and enhance macOS security configurations and policies. 10. Stay informed on any emerging exploit reports or additional patches from Apple.