CVE-2025-43293 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS identified as a CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) issue. It allows an application running on the system to access sensitive user data improperly due to insufficient validation of input data. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have local access to the device and for the user to interact with the malicious app, but it does not require the app to have elevated privileges or prior authentication. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, indicating local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, unchanged scope, high confidentiality impact, and no impact on integrity or availability. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved input validation in macOS Sonoma 14.8 and macOS Sequoia 15.7. No specific affected versions were detailed, but all versions prior to these patches are considered vulnerable. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. The vulnerability primarily threatens confidentiality by enabling unauthorized access to sensitive user data, potentially including personal information, credentials, or other protected content stored or accessible on the device. The root cause is improper input validation, which could allow crafted input from an app to bypass normal access controls. This flaw underscores the importance of strict input validation in OS components that handle app data access.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43293 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. This could include personal employee information, confidential corporate data, or credentials stored on affected machines. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the risk is higher in environments where users can install or run untrusted applications, such as in BYOD scenarios or less controlled endpoints. Data leakage could lead to privacy violations under GDPR, reputational damage, and potential regulatory penalties. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so it is less likely to cause operational disruption. However, the confidentiality breach risk is significant for organizations handling sensitive or regulated data. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits post-disclosure. Organizations with macOS endpoints should prioritize patching and endpoint controls to mitigate this risk.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to Sonoma 14.8 or Sequoia 15.7 or later to apply the security fix. 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. 3. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting and blocking suspicious local app behavior, including attempts to access sensitive data unexpectedly. 4. Enforce strict user policies and training to minimize risky user interactions that could trigger exploitation, such as running unknown apps or opening untrusted files. 5. Use macOS built-in security features like System Integrity Protection (SIP) and sandboxing to limit app capabilities. 6. Regularly audit and monitor macOS devices for unusual access patterns or data exfiltration attempts. 7. For high-security environments, consider application whitelisting and restricting local user privileges to reduce attack surface. 8. Maintain an inventory of macOS versions in use to ensure timely patch management and compliance.