CVE-2025-43262 is a vulnerability identified in Apple's macOS operating system related to the USB Restricted Mode security feature. USB Restricted Mode is designed to limit the ability of USB accessories to interact with the system unless explicitly authorized, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized data access or device exploitation via USB peripherals. The vulnerability arises because USB Restricted Mode may not be properly applied to accessories that are connected during the system boot process. This means that devices plugged in at boot time could bypass the intended restrictions, potentially allowing unauthorized USB devices to gain elevated access or interact with the system without user consent. The root cause is a permissions issue that Apple addressed by adding additional restrictions in macOS Tahoe 26. However, prior to this fix, the security boundary enforced by USB Restricted Mode was weakened during the boot phase, creating an attack vector for adversaries who can physically connect malicious USB devices during system startup. While no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers with physical access to a target machine to bypass USB security controls, potentially leading to data exfiltration, malware installation, or system compromise. The affected versions are unspecified, but the fix is included in macOS Tahoe 26, indicating that earlier versions remain vulnerable. The lack of a CVSS score suggests the vulnerability is newly disclosed and not yet fully assessed for severity.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk particularly in environments where macOS devices are used and physical security controls are limited. Attackers with physical access could exploit this flaw to bypass USB security policies, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or malware infection. This is especially critical for sectors handling sensitive or regulated data such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. The vulnerability undermines the integrity and confidentiality of systems by allowing unauthorized USB devices to interact with the system during boot, a phase typically trusted to enforce strict security policies. Although exploitation requires physical access, insider threats or attackers with temporary access to devices could leverage this to implant persistent threats or exfiltrate data. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop techniques to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations relying on macOS devices should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and physical security policies.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Ensure all macOS devices are updated to macOS Tahoe 26 or later, where the fix is implemented. 2) Enforce strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized physical access to devices, especially during boot. 3) Implement endpoint security solutions that monitor USB device connections and alert on suspicious activity, including during system startup. 4) Educate users and administrators about the risks of connecting unknown USB devices and the importance of securing devices when unattended. 5) Consider disabling or restricting USB ports via hardware or firmware controls where feasible to reduce attack surface. 6) Incorporate this vulnerability into security audits and penetration testing to verify that USB Restricted Mode is effectively enforced. 7) Maintain an inventory of authorized USB devices and use device management policies to whitelist approved peripherals. These measures go beyond generic patching advice by emphasizing physical security, monitoring, and device management tailored to the nature of the vulnerability.