CVE-2025-43268 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS, specifically addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.6. The vulnerability stems from a permissions issue (classified under CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource) that could allow a malicious application to escalate its privileges and gain root-level access on the affected system. Root privileges grant an attacker full control over the operating system, enabling them to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, install persistent malware, and manipulate system configurations. The vulnerability requires local access (Attack Vector: Local) and low attack complexity, meaning an attacker with limited privileges but local access can exploit it without user interaction. The attacker must have some privileges (PR:L) but does not require user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level, as indicated by the CVSS score of 7.8. The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the exploit affects only the vulnerable component without impacting other components. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild yet, the potential for exploitation is significant due to the nature of the vulnerability and the critical access it grants. The issue was resolved by Apple through additional restrictions on permissions in the latest macOS Sequoia 15.6 update. However, the affected versions are unspecified, so any macOS version prior to 15.6 should be considered vulnerable until patched. Organizations relying on macOS systems should prioritize patching to mitigate this risk.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for enterprises and government agencies that use macOS devices for sensitive operations. An attacker exploiting this flaw could gain root access, leading to full system compromise, data theft, disruption of services, and potential lateral movement within networks. The confidentiality of sensitive corporate or personal data could be severely impacted, along with the integrity of critical system files and availability of services. Given the high adoption of Apple products in sectors such as finance, creative industries, and government offices across Europe, the threat could lead to significant operational and reputational damage. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face increased exposure if users’ macOS devices are not updated. The lack of required user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation once local access is obtained, increasing the urgency for mitigation. Although no active exploitation is reported, the vulnerability’s characteristics make it a prime candidate for future attacks, including targeted espionage or ransomware campaigns.

1. Immediate deployment of the macOS Sequoia 15.6 update or later on all macOS devices to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement strict endpoint security controls to limit local access to trusted users only, including the use of strong authentication and role-based access controls. 3. Employ application whitelisting and restrict installation of unauthorized software to reduce the risk of malicious apps gaining a foothold. 4. Monitor system logs and use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect unusual privilege escalation attempts or suspicious local activity. 5. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and enforce policies that restrict software installation privileges. 6. For organizations with remote or hybrid workforces, ensure secure VPN and remote access configurations to prevent unauthorized local access. 7. Regularly audit and review permissions and user privileges on macOS systems to minimize unnecessary elevated rights. 8. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential compromises.