CVE-2025-43208 is a permissions-related vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application to access sensitive location information without proper authorization. The root cause is an insufficiently restrictive permission model governing location data access, categorized under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). This flaw enables an app, potentially without elevated privileges, to bypass intended restrictions and read location data that should be protected. Exploitation requires local access to the device and user interaction, such as launching or interacting with the malicious app, but does not require prior authentication or administrative privileges. The vulnerability affects unspecified macOS versions prior to the release of macOS Tahoe 26, where Apple addressed the issue by implementing additional restrictions on location data permissions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the moderate impact on confidentiality, no impact on integrity or availability, and the requirement for user interaction and local access. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. This vulnerability primarily threatens user privacy by exposing sensitive location information, which could be leveraged for targeted surveillance, profiling, or other malicious purposes. Organizations relying on macOS devices, especially those processing sensitive or regulated data, should prioritize patching to prevent potential data leakage.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43208 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive location information, which can compromise user privacy and potentially violate data protection regulations such as GDPR. Exposure of location data can lead to targeted attacks, espionage, or profiling of employees and assets. Organizations in sectors like finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, where location confidentiality is paramount, face increased risk. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the breach of confidentiality alone can result in reputational damage, regulatory fines, and loss of customer trust. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the risk is higher in environments with less controlled device usage or where users may inadvertently install untrusted applications. The medium severity score indicates a moderate but non-negligible threat that should be addressed promptly to maintain compliance and security posture.

To mitigate CVE-2025-43208, European organizations should: 1) Upgrade all macOS devices to macOS Tahoe 26 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed by enhanced permission restrictions. 2) Enforce strict application installation policies, allowing only trusted and vetted apps to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this flaw. 3) Educate users about the risks of granting location permissions and the importance of cautious app installation and interaction. 4) Implement endpoint security solutions capable of monitoring and restricting unauthorized access to location services. 5) Regularly audit app permissions on macOS devices to ensure no unauthorized apps have access to sensitive location data. 6) Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to centrally manage and enforce security policies related to location services and app permissions. 7) Monitor for unusual access patterns or data exfiltration attempts related to location information. These measures go beyond generic patching by emphasizing user awareness, policy enforcement, and continuous monitoring tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.