CVE-2025-43267 is an injection vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically addressed in the macOS Sequoia 15.6 update. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient validation of input data, classified under CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component). This flaw allows a malicious or compromised application running on the local machine to access sensitive user data that it normally should not be able to retrieve. The attack vector requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and user interaction (UI:R), indicating that a user must execute or interact with the malicious app for exploitation to occur. The vulnerability affects confidentiality (C:H) but does not impact integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited or no active exploitation at this time. The issue was resolved by Apple through improved input validation mechanisms in the latest macOS release. The vulnerability's medium CVSS score of 5.5 reflects the balance between the potential data exposure and the exploitation constraints. Organizations relying on macOS devices should be aware that unpatched systems remain vulnerable to local apps that could extract sensitive information, potentially leading to privacy breaches or data leakage.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to confidentiality of sensitive user data on macOS devices. Industries handling personal data, intellectual property, or sensitive communications could be targeted if attackers gain local access or trick users into running malicious apps. While the vulnerability does not allow privilege escalation or system disruption, unauthorized data access could lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and reputational damage. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but insider threats or social engineering attacks remain plausible vectors. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS laptops are particularly at risk if endpoint security controls are weak. Failure to patch could expose European entities to data breaches, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government where confidentiality is critical.

To mitigate CVE-2025-43267, European organizations should promptly update all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.6 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. 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. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous app behavior and unauthorized data access attempts. Educate users about the risks of running untrusted applications and the importance of verifying app sources before execution. Employ application whitelisting and least privilege principles to limit app capabilities. Regularly audit macOS devices for unauthorized software and monitor logs for suspicious activity. For highly sensitive environments, consider additional data encryption and access controls to protect sensitive user data even if accessed by local apps.