CVE-2025-43241 is a permissions vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application to read files outside of its designated sandbox environment. The sandboxing mechanism is a critical security control designed to isolate applications and restrict their access to system resources and user data. This vulnerability arises from insufficient enforcement of sandbox restrictions, permitting an app to bypass these controls and access files it should not be able to read. The issue was addressed by Apple through additional restrictions implemented in macOS Sequoia 15.6, Ventura 13.7.7, and Sonoma 14.7.7. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), indicating a failure to properly restrict access rights. According to the CVSS v3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N), exploitation requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), and user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) but none on integrity or availability (I:N/A:N). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited or no active exploitation currently. The vulnerability primarily threatens confidentiality by enabling unauthorized reading of files outside the sandbox, potentially exposing sensitive user or system data. This can have serious implications for privacy and compliance, especially in environments with sensitive information.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to data confidentiality, particularly for entities handling sensitive personal data, intellectual property, or regulated information under GDPR and other compliance frameworks. Unauthorized file access could lead to data breaches, loss of customer trust, and regulatory penalties. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users may install or run untrusted applications. Organizations with macOS endpoints, including government agencies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and technology companies, could be targeted for data exfiltration or espionage. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in multi-user systems or shared environments to escalate data access beyond intended boundaries. Although no integrity or availability impact is noted, the confidentiality breach alone is critical in sectors with stringent data protection requirements. The absence of known exploits provides a window for proactive patching and mitigation before widespread exploitation occurs.

1. Immediately apply the security updates provided by Apple for macOS Sequoia 15.6, Ventura 13.7.7, and Sonoma 14.7.7 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Audit and restrict application installation policies to prevent untrusted or unnecessary apps from running, reducing the attack surface. 3. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of monitoring and blocking suspicious file access attempts outside sandbox boundaries. 4. Educate users about the risks of running unverified applications and the importance of user interaction in exploitation scenarios. 5. Employ macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Full Disk Encryption to limit unauthorized data access. 6. Regularly review and tighten sandbox configurations and permissions for critical applications, especially those handling sensitive data. 7. Monitor system logs and file access patterns for anomalies indicative of sandbox escape attempts. 8. Consider network segmentation and access controls to limit lateral movement if local compromise occurs. 9. Maintain an inventory of macOS devices and ensure timely patch management aligned with vendor advisories. 10. Coordinate with legal and compliance teams to prepare incident response plans addressing potential data breaches stemming from this vulnerability.