CVE-2025-43188: Apple macOS · A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges
Affects Apple macOSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 15.6 : patch Apple macOS soon.
Data as of 25 Oct 2026, 19:02 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 12% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 15.6
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 29 Jul 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-25.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Apple macOS | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
To mitigate CVE-2025-43188, organizations should immediately update all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.6 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. Beyond patching, implement strict application control policies to prevent installation or execution of untrusted or unsigned applications. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for unusual privilege escalation behaviors and suspicious process executions. Limit local user permissions by enforcing least privilege principles, reducing the likelihood that a user can run malicious code that exploits this vulnerability. Educate users about the risks of running unknown applications and the importance of verifying software sources. Additionally, use macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Gatekeeper to restrict unauthorized modifications and app installations. Regularly audit system logs for signs of exploitation attempts and maintain up-to-date backups to recover from potential compromises. Network segmentation can also help contain any breach resulting from exploitation.
Description
A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.6. A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges.