CVE-2025-43259 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an attacker with physical access to a locked device to view sensitive user information. The root cause is insufficient redaction of sensitive data displayed or accessible on the lock screen or through other system interfaces when the device is locked. This vulnerability does not require the attacker to authenticate or interact with the device beyond physical access, making it a direct confidentiality risk. The flaw was addressed by Apple through improved redaction techniques in macOS Sequoia 15.6, Sonoma 14.7.7, and Ventura 13.7.7. The CVSS v3.1 score is 4.6, indicating medium severity, with the vector AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, meaning the attack requires physical access but no privileges or user interaction, impacts confidentiality significantly, and does not affect integrity or availability. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-359 (Exposure of Sensitive Information Through Design Flaw). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the potential for sensitive data exposure remains a concern, especially in environments where devices may be left unattended or physically accessible to unauthorized personnel.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43259 is the potential exposure of sensitive user information if an attacker gains physical access to locked macOS devices. This can lead to breaches of confidentiality, potentially exposing personal data, corporate secrets, or other sensitive information. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, which often handle sensitive data and rely on macOS devices, could face reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR, and operational risks. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so it does not directly enable system compromise or denial of service. However, the ease of exploitation via physical access means that organizations with less stringent physical security controls are at higher risk. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk, especially in environments with high device turnover or shared workspaces.

To mitigate CVE-2025-43259, European organizations should prioritize updating all affected macOS devices to the fixed versions: Sequoia 15.6, Sonoma 14.7.7, or Ventura 13.7.7. Beyond patching, organizations must enforce strict physical security measures such as secure storage of devices when unattended, use of cable locks, and controlled access to workspaces. Implementing policies for device handling, including locking screens when not in use and educating users about the risks of leaving devices unattended, is critical. Additionally, enabling FileVault full disk encryption can reduce the risk of data exposure if physical access leads to attempts to bypass OS-level protections. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that can alert on suspicious physical access or device tampering. Regular audits of physical security and device inventory can further reduce risk.