CVE-2025-43279 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically addressed in the macOS Tahoe 26 release. The issue stems from inadequate redaction of private data within system log entries, which allows a local application to access sensitive user information that should otherwise be protected. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction, meaning any app running locally on the system can potentially exploit this flaw to read confidential data from logs. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-359, which relates to exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of data. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.2, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector classified as local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N/A:N). Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant privacy risk, particularly in environments where sensitive data is logged and local app execution is possible. The fix involves improved redaction of private data in log entries, which is implemented in macOS Tahoe 26. Since the affected versions are unspecified, it is prudent to assume all versions prior to Tahoe 26 may be vulnerable. This vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality by exposing sensitive user data, without affecting system integrity or availability.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a privacy risk by potentially exposing sensitive user data through system logs accessible by local applications. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often handle confidential personal or operational data on macOS devices, could face data leakage incidents if devices remain unpatched. The impact is primarily on confidentiality, which could lead to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is exposed. Although exploitation requires local access, insider threats or malware that gains local execution could leverage this vulnerability to harvest sensitive information. The lack of requirement for privileges or user interaction increases the risk within environments where endpoint security controls are weak. However, the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, limiting the scope of potential damage to data exposure rather than system disruption. Overall, the threat could undermine trust in macOS devices within sensitive European infrastructures if not addressed promptly.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading all macOS devices to macOS Tahoe 26 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed with improved private data redaction in logs. Until upgrades are fully deployed, organizations should restrict the installation and execution of untrusted local applications to minimize the risk of exploitation. Implement strict endpoint security policies that limit local app permissions and monitor for unusual access to system logs or sensitive files. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized local code execution. Regularly audit and review system logs for signs of data access anomalies. Educate users and administrators about the risks of running untrusted software locally. For environments with high sensitivity, consider additional controls such as disk encryption and data access monitoring to reduce exposure. Finally, maintain an up-to-date inventory of macOS devices and ensure timely patch management aligned with Apple’s security advisories.