CVE-2025-43250 is a sandbox escape vulnerability in Apple macOS caused by improper path validation, classified under CWE-22. The sandbox is a critical security mechanism that restricts app capabilities to prevent unauthorized system access. This vulnerability allows a malicious or compromised app to break out of its sandbox containment by exploiting a path handling flaw, potentially enabling unauthorized modification of system files or execution of code outside the sandbox constraints. The issue affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: Sequoia 15.6, Sonoma 14.7.7, and Ventura 13.7.7. The vulnerability requires local access to the system but does not require any privileges or user interaction, making it somewhat easier to exploit if an attacker already has local code execution. However, it does not impact confidentiality or availability, only integrity, meaning the attacker could alter data or system state but not necessarily access sensitive information or cause denial of service. No public exploits have been reported, indicating limited active exploitation. The fix involves improved validation of file paths to prevent directory traversal or similar path manipulation attacks that enable sandbox escape. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in security-critical components like sandboxing.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the integrity of systems running vulnerable macOS versions. An attacker with local access could leverage this flaw to escalate privileges or execute unauthorized code outside the sandbox, potentially compromising system stability or security posture. This could facilitate further attacks such as persistence mechanisms, lateral movement, or deployment of malware. Organizations relying on macOS for development, creative work, or endpoint computing could see increased risk if patching is delayed. While confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity compromise could lead to indirect data breaches or operational disruptions. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially in environments with less stringent endpoint controls or where insider threats exist. European entities with strict data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) must consider the implications of integrity breaches on compliance and incident response.

1. Immediately apply the latest macOS security updates (Sequoia 15.6, Sonoma 14.7.7, Ventura 13.7.7 or later) to all affected systems to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Restrict installation of applications to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store or enterprise-approved software repositories to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this flaw. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous behaviors indicative of sandbox escape attempts or unauthorized file system access. 4. Implement strict user privilege management and limit local access to macOS systems, especially for users who do not require administrative rights. 5. Conduct regular security audits and sandbox integrity checks to detect potential compromise. 6. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted software and the importance of timely system updates. 7. For high-security environments, consider additional sandboxing or containerization layers and application whitelisting to further constrain app behavior beyond the native macOS sandbox.