CVE-2025-43250 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS operating systems that allows an application to potentially break out of its sandbox environment. The sandbox is a critical security mechanism designed to isolate applications, restricting their access to system resources and user data to prevent malicious or compromised apps from causing harm beyond their permitted scope. This vulnerability stems from a path handling issue, where insufficient validation of file or resource paths enables an app to escape these sandbox restrictions. By exploiting this flaw, a malicious or compromised application could gain unauthorized access to system resources, user data, or other applications, thereby undermining the integrity and confidentiality guarantees provided by the sandbox. Apple addressed this vulnerability by improving path validation in macOS versions Sequoia 15.6, Sonoma 14.7.7, and Ventura 13.7.7. The affected versions prior to these patches are unspecified but presumably include earlier releases of these macOS lines. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. However, the nature of the vulnerability suggests a significant security risk, especially in environments where untrusted or third-party applications are installed. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond running the malicious app, but it does require the app to be installed and executed on the target system. This vulnerability could be leveraged to bypass macOS's sandboxing protections, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, or persistence mechanisms that evade normal security controls.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, particularly for enterprises and institutions that rely heavily on macOS devices for daily operations, including sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology. The ability of an app to break out of its sandbox could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, intellectual property, or personal data protected under GDPR. This could result in data breaches, regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Organizations that deploy third-party or internally developed applications without rigorous vetting increase their exposure. Additionally, environments that use macOS for critical infrastructure or secure communications could face integrity and availability risks if attackers exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or disrupt system functions. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk, but the publication of the vulnerability and patch availability means attackers may develop exploits, increasing the threat over time. The impact is amplified in environments where endpoint security monitoring is limited or where users have elevated privileges, as sandbox escape could lead to broader system compromise.

European organizations should prioritize patching affected macOS systems by deploying the updates macOS Sequoia 15.6, Sonoma 14.7.7, and Ventura 13.7.7 as soon as possible. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies to limit the installation and execution of untrusted or unnecessary applications. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that monitor for anomalous behaviors indicative of sandbox escapes can provide early detection. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to minimize the impact if a sandbox escape occurs. Regular audits of installed applications and sandbox configurations can help identify potential risks. Additionally, educating users about the risks of installing unverified software and employing mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies on macOS devices will further reduce exposure. Organizations should also monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploits related to this vulnerability to respond promptly.