CVE-2025-43233 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS operating systems where a malicious application, masquerading as an HTTPS proxy, could gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data. The vulnerability arises from insufficient access restrictions that allowed such a malicious proxy app to intercept or access data that should have been protected during HTTPS communications. This could include sensitive information such as authentication tokens, personal data, or other confidential content transmitted over supposedly secure HTTPS connections. Apple addressed this issue by implementing improved access restrictions in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, and macOS Ventura 13.7.7. The affected versions prior to these patches are unspecified but presumably include earlier releases of these macOS versions. The vulnerability does not currently have a CVSS score and there are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. However, the nature of the vulnerability suggests that if exploited, it could allow a malicious app to bypass HTTPS protections, undermining the confidentiality and integrity of user data. The attack vector requires the malicious app to be installed on the victim's machine, acting as a proxy to intercept HTTPS traffic, which implies that some level of user interaction or social engineering might be necessary to deploy the malicious app. The vulnerability highlights the risk of local privilege escalation or data interception through compromised or malicious applications on macOS systems.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data transmitted over HTTPS on macOS devices. Organizations relying on macOS endpoints for critical business operations, especially those handling personal data under GDPR regulations, could face data breaches or unauthorized data exposure if this vulnerability is exploited. The ability of a malicious app to act as an HTTPS proxy and access sensitive data could lead to leakage of intellectual property, customer information, or internal credentials. This could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. The impact is particularly concerning for sectors with high data sensitivity such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology companies operating in Europe. Additionally, the requirement for a malicious app to be installed means that organizations with weak endpoint security controls or insufficient application vetting processes are at higher risk. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits following public disclosure.

European organizations should prioritize patching affected macOS systems by upgrading to macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, or macOS Ventura 13.7.7 as soon as possible to apply the improved access restrictions. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies to prevent installation of unauthorized or untrusted applications, including those masquerading as proxies. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be configured to monitor for unusual proxy or network behaviors indicative of malicious interception. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of installing unverified software and the importance of verifying application sources. Network segmentation and the use of network-level HTTPS inspection tools can help detect and block unauthorized proxy activities. Additionally, organizations should audit existing macOS devices for installed proxy applications and remove any suspicious or unnecessary software. Regular vulnerability scanning and compliance checks should include verification of macOS patch levels and application whitelisting status. Finally, incident response plans should be updated to include scenarios involving local proxy-based data interception.