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.

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.

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.