CVE-2025-43235 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that can be triggered by a local application to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The root cause is improper memory handling, which can be exploited to exhaust system resources or crash critical processes, leading to system unavailability. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-400, which relates to uncontrolled resource consumption. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact affects availability only (A:H), with no confidentiality or integrity impact. The issue was addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.6 through improved memory management to prevent resource exhaustion. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, remote exploitation is not feasible, limiting the attack surface primarily to users running untrusted applications locally.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-43235 is denial-of-service, which can disrupt normal operations on affected macOS systems by causing crashes or resource exhaustion. For organizations, this can lead to temporary loss of productivity, potential downtime of critical macOS endpoints, and disruption of services relying on these systems. Although the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact can be significant in environments where macOS devices are used for critical workflows or as part of larger infrastructure. Attackers with local access could exploit this to disrupt user sessions or system processes, potentially as part of a broader attack chain. However, the requirement for user interaction and local access reduces the risk of widespread automated exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2025-43235, organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.6 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Restricting the installation and execution of untrusted or unsigned applications can reduce the risk of exploitation, as the vulnerability requires a local app to trigger the DoS condition. Employing endpoint protection solutions that monitor for abnormal resource consumption or application behavior can help detect exploitation attempts. User education to avoid running suspicious applications or clicking on untrusted prompts is also important given the user interaction requirement. Additionally, implementing least privilege principles and limiting local user permissions can reduce the attack surface. Regularly auditing and monitoring macOS systems for crashes or unusual resource usage patterns can provide early warning of attempted exploitation.