CVE-2025-43248 is a logic-based privilege escalation vulnerability in Apple macOS identified in 2025. The flaw stems from inadequate enforcement of restrictions within the operating system's privilege management mechanisms, allowing a malicious application to gain root-level privileges. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management). Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, such as running a malicious app, but does not require any prior authentication or elevated privileges. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity due to its potential to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The vulnerability affects unspecified macOS versions before the release of macOS Sequoia 15.6 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, where Apple has implemented improved restrictions to address the issue. Although no exploits have been observed in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a significant risk, especially in environments where users may inadvertently run untrusted applications. The vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or disruption of services.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious threat, particularly to those relying on macOS systems for critical operations or handling sensitive data. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to confidential information, modification or deletion of critical data, and disruption of business continuity. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology are especially vulnerable due to the high value of their data and services. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as social engineering or insider threats could facilitate attack vectors. The impact extends beyond individual devices, as compromised systems could serve as entry points for lateral movement within corporate networks. Given the widespread use of macOS in European enterprises and public institutions, the vulnerability could have broad implications if not promptly mitigated.

European organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the security patches provided in macOS Sequoia 15.6 and Sonoma 14.7.7. Until patching is complete, restrict installation of applications to those from trusted sources, such as the Apple App Store or verified developers, to reduce the risk of malicious app execution. Implement strict endpoint protection policies that include application whitelisting and behavioral monitoring to detect and block suspicious privilege escalation attempts. Educate users about the risks of running untrusted applications and the importance of reporting unusual system behavior. Employ network segmentation to limit the potential spread of an attacker who gains root access on a macOS device. Regularly audit and monitor macOS systems for signs of compromise, focusing on privilege escalation indicators. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans tailored to macOS environments to ensure rapid recovery if exploitation occurs.