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CVE-2025-43294: An app may be able to access sensitive user data in Apple tvOS

0
Low
VulnerabilityCVE-2025-43294cvecve-2025-43294
Published: Mon Sep 15 2025 (09/15/2025, 22:35:50 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: Apple
Product: tvOS

Description

CVE-2025-43294 is a vulnerability in Apple tvOS related to improper handling of environment variables, allowing an app with limited privileges to access sensitive user data without user interaction. The issue affects multiple Apple operating systems including watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS prior to version 26. 1. Apple addressed this vulnerability by improving validation of environment variables in the 26. 1 updates. The CVSS score is low (3. 3) due to the requirement of local access and privileges, with no impact on integrity or availability. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a confidentiality risk if exploited. European organizations using Apple devices, especially those with tvOS in corporate or consumer environments, should prioritize updating to the patched versions. Countries with high Apple market penetration and significant use of Apple devices in enterprise or government sectors are more likely to be affected.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 11/11/2025, 01:52:32 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2025-43294 is a security vulnerability identified in Apple tvOS and related Apple operating systems (watchOS, iOS, iPadOS) prior to version 26.1. The root cause is improper handling and validation of environment variables within the operating system. Environment variables are key-value pairs used by applications and the OS to store configuration and runtime information. In this case, an app with limited privileges could exploit this flaw to access sensitive user data that should otherwise be protected. The vulnerability falls under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), indicating that the system failed to enforce appropriate access restrictions on environment variables. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N), but does require local privileges (PR:L) and local access vector (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have some level of access to the device and the ability to run an app. The impact is limited to confidentiality (C:L), with no integrity or availability impact. Apple fixed the issue by improving validation of environment variables in the 26.1 releases of watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS. No public exploits or active exploitation in the wild have been reported. The vulnerability is rated low severity with a CVSS v3.1 score of 3.3, reflecting the limited attack surface and impact. However, the ability for an app to access sensitive user data without proper authorization poses a privacy risk, especially in environments where sensitive information is handled on Apple devices. Organizations should ensure all affected devices are updated to the latest OS versions to mitigate this risk.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43294 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on Apple devices running vulnerable versions of tvOS, iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS. This could lead to privacy breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and loss of user trust. Although the vulnerability requires local access and privileges, in environments where devices are shared, or where malicious apps could be installed (e.g., via enterprise app stores or sideloading), the risk increases. The confidentiality breach could expose personal information, credentials, or other sensitive data stored or accessible through environment variables. The low severity rating indicates limited risk for widespread disruption, but targeted attacks against high-value users or devices remain a concern. European organizations relying on Apple ecosystems for consumer-facing services, digital signage, or internal communications via Apple TV devices should be aware of this vulnerability. Failure to patch could also increase the attack surface for advanced persistent threat (APT) actors seeking footholds in corporate or governmental networks.

Mitigation Recommendations

1. Immediately update all Apple devices (tvOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS) to version 26.1 or later to apply the patch addressing CVE-2025-43294. 2. Enforce strict app installation policies, limiting apps to those from trusted sources such as the official Apple App Store or vetted enterprise app catalogs. 3. Implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions to monitor and control app permissions and environment variable access where possible. 4. Conduct regular audits of installed applications on Apple devices to detect unauthorized or suspicious apps that could exploit environment variable handling. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of installing untrusted apps and the importance of timely OS updates. 6. For high-security environments, consider restricting local user privileges to minimize the risk of privilege escalation or local exploitation. 7. Monitor device logs and behavior for anomalies that could indicate attempts to access sensitive environment variables or data exfiltration. 8. Coordinate with Apple support and security advisories to stay informed about any further developments or related vulnerabilities.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
apple
Date Reserved
2025-04-16T15:24:37.102Z
Cvss Version
null
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 68c8aa6dee2781683eebd5bb

Added to database: 9/16/2025, 12:08:13 AM

Last enriched: 11/11/2025, 1:52:32 AM

Last updated: 12/13/2025, 7:22:45 AM

Views: 35

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