CVE-2025-43274 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows a sandboxed process to potentially circumvent sandbox restrictions. Sandboxing is a security mechanism designed to isolate processes and limit their access to system resources, thereby containing potential damage from compromised or malicious code. This vulnerability arises from a privacy issue linked to vulnerable code that was ultimately removed in the macOS Sequoia 15.6 update. The vulnerability is characterized by a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.4, indicating medium severity. The vector metrics specify that exploitation requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality and availability to a limited extent (C:L, I:N, A:L). The CWE-311 classification suggests issues related to improper protection of sensitive information. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ability for a sandboxed process to escape its restrictions could allow an attacker to access data or system resources beyond their intended scope, potentially leading to information leakage or denial of service. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to Sequoia 15.6, emphasizing the importance of applying the patch. The technical details indicate the issue was reserved in April 2025 and published in July 2025, with Apple as the assigner. No specific patch links are provided, but the fix is integrated into the latest macOS release.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-43274 primarily concerns the potential for sandboxed applications to bypass security restrictions, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information or disruption of services. Organizations relying on macOS for critical operations, especially those handling confidential or regulated data (e.g., finance, healthcare, government), may face increased risk if attackers exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges or access protected resources. Although the vulnerability does not allow full system compromise or integrity modification, the confidentiality and availability impacts could disrupt workflows or expose private data. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation, reducing the risk from external attackers but increasing the threat from insider threats or malware already present on the system. Given the widespread use of macOS in certain European markets and sectors, unpatched systems could become targets for attackers seeking to bypass sandbox protections to gain footholds or move laterally within networks.

To mitigate CVE-2025-43274 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Prioritize upgrading all macOS systems to Sequoia 15.6 or later, ensuring the vulnerable code is removed. 2) Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and restrict the installation or execution of untrusted sandboxed applications. 3) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring sandbox escape attempts or unusual process behaviors indicative of sandbox circumvention. 4) Conduct regular audits of macOS devices to verify patch levels and compliance with security policies. 5) Educate users about the risks of running untrusted software and the importance of reporting suspicious activity. 6) Where possible, isolate critical macOS systems within segmented network zones to contain potential breaches. 7) Monitor for updates or advisories from Apple and security communities to respond promptly to any emerging exploit techniques related to this vulnerability.