CVE-2025-43273 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically related to the sandboxing mechanism used to isolate processes and restrict their capabilities. The issue arises from a permissions flaw that allows a sandboxed process to potentially circumvent the sandbox restrictions imposed by the operating system. Sandboxing is a critical security control designed to limit the actions of processes, preventing them from accessing unauthorized resources or performing harmful operations. This vulnerability undermines that control, potentially allowing malicious or compromised sandboxed processes to escape their confinement and interact with the system or other processes in ways that should be prohibited. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple with additional sandbox restrictions in macOS Sequoia 15.6, indicating that earlier versions remain vulnerable. The affected versions are unspecified but presumably include all macOS versions prior to 15.6. There are currently no known exploits in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The lack of detailed technical information such as the exact nature of the permissions issue or the attack vector limits the depth of analysis, but the core risk is clear: a sandbox escape could lead to privilege escalation or unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on macOS systems in sensitive environments such as finance, government, healthcare, and technology sectors. If exploited, an attacker could bypass sandbox restrictions, potentially leading to unauthorized access to confidential data, execution of arbitrary code with elevated privileges, or disruption of system integrity. This could facilitate further lateral movement within networks, data exfiltration, or deployment of persistent malware. The impact is heightened in environments where sandboxing is a primary defense mechanism against untrusted code, such as in software development, testing, or running third-party applications. Given the widespread use of macOS in European enterprises and public institutions, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of users. However, the absence of known exploits and the requirement for the process to already be sandboxed somewhat limits the immediate risk. Nonetheless, the potential for future exploitation necessitates proactive mitigation.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS systems to version Sequoia 15.6 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations should implement additional controls such as restricting the execution of untrusted or third-party applications that rely on sandboxing, monitoring for unusual process behavior indicative of sandbox escape attempts, and employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting privilege escalation or sandbox circumvention techniques. Network segmentation and strict access controls can limit the impact of a compromised system. Additionally, organizations should review and tighten sandbox policies and configurations to minimize permissions granted to sandboxed processes. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning focused on macOS endpoints will help identify unpatched systems. Finally, user awareness and training on the risks of running untrusted software can reduce the likelihood of initial compromise.