CVE-2025-43291 is a permissions vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to modify protected parts of the file system. The root cause is a permissions issue that was addressed by Apple through the removal of the vulnerable code in macOS Sonoma 14.8 and macOS Sequoia 15.7. The vulnerability does not require privilege escalation (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), meaning an attacker must trick a user into running a malicious app or action. The attack vector is local (AV:L), indicating that the attacker must have local access to the system, such as through a malicious app or compromised user account. The vulnerability impacts integrity (I:H) but does not affect confidentiality (C:N) or availability (A:N). The CWE associated is CWE-284, which relates to improper access control. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the medium CVSS score of 5.5 reflects the moderate risk due to the requirement of user interaction and local access. The vulnerability could allow attackers to alter system files or configurations that are normally protected, potentially enabling persistence, privilege escalation, or further compromise. The fix involves updating to the patched macOS versions where the vulnerable code was removed.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the integrity of macOS systems, particularly in environments where macOS is used for critical business operations or development. Unauthorized modification of protected file system areas could allow attackers to implant persistent malware, alter system configurations, or bypass security controls. This could lead to compromised systems, data tampering, and increased difficulty in detecting intrusions. While confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity breach could indirectly affect business processes and trustworthiness of systems. Organizations in sectors such as finance, technology, and government that rely on macOS devices for sensitive tasks may face higher risks. The requirement for user interaction and local access reduces the likelihood of remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk from insider threats or social engineering attacks. Prompt patching is essential to mitigate potential damage.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to versions Sonoma 14.8 or Sequoia 15.7 or later to apply the fix removing the vulnerable code. 2. 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 exploiting this vulnerability. 3. Implement strict user awareness training focused on social engineering and phishing to minimize the risk of users executing malicious applications or actions. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring and alerting on unauthorized modifications to protected file system areas. 5. Use macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and ensure they are enabled and properly configured. 6. Regularly audit system file integrity using tools like Tripwire or built-in macOS mechanisms to detect unauthorized changes. 7. Limit local user privileges where possible to reduce the attack surface for local exploitation. 8. Maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to quickly identify suspicious activities related to file system modifications.