CVE-2025-43252 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS systems prior to the release of macOS Sequoia 15.6. The vulnerability arises from the way the operating system resolves symbolic links (symlinks) when accessed via a web browser. Specifically, a malicious website could exploit this flaw to access sensitive user data by manipulating symlink resolution processes. This issue is categorized under CWE-59, which relates to improper linkage or symlink handling that can lead to unauthorized file access. The vulnerability does not require any privileges (PR:N) and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L). However, it does require user interaction (UI:R), meaning the user must engage with the malicious website or content to trigger the exploit. The impact is primarily on confidentiality (C:H), as sensitive data could be exposed, but it does not affect integrity or availability. Apple addressed this vulnerability by introducing an additional user consent prompt during symlink resolution, thereby preventing unauthorized access without explicit user approval. The fix is included in macOS Sequoia 15.6, and users are advised to update to this version or later to mitigate the risk. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the medium CVSS score of 6.5 indicates a significant risk if exploited.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to data confidentiality, especially for entities relying heavily on macOS devices for sensitive operations, such as legal firms, financial institutions, and healthcare providers. An attacker could leverage this flaw to access confidential files or personal data by tricking users into visiting malicious websites, potentially leading to data breaches or leakage of intellectual property. Since the exploit requires user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to increase the likelihood of successful exploitation. The exposure of sensitive data could result in regulatory non-compliance under GDPR, leading to financial penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS devices may face increased risk due to less controlled browsing environments. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability should be treated proactively given the potential impact on confidentiality.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to macOS Sequoia 15.6 or later, where the vulnerability is patched with an added user consent prompt during symlink resolution. Until updates are fully deployed, organizations should implement strict web filtering to block access to untrusted or suspicious websites to reduce the risk of user interaction with malicious content. Security awareness training should emphasize the risks of phishing and visiting untrusted websites, highlighting this specific threat vector. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor and alert on unusual file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should audit and restrict the use of symlinks in sensitive directories and enforce least privilege principles to limit the impact of any potential unauthorized access. Regular vulnerability scanning and compliance checks should include verification of macOS versions and patch status to ensure timely remediation.