CVE-2025-43294 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS related to improper handling of environment variables. Environment variables are used by operating systems and applications to store configuration settings and other data that can influence program behavior. In this case, the vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of these environment variables, which could allow a malicious application to access sensitive user data improperly. Although the affected macOS versions are unspecified, Apple has addressed this issue by improving validation mechanisms in macOS Tahoe 26. The vulnerability potentially enables an app to bypass normal access controls and read sensitive information that should otherwise be protected. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The lack of detailed technical specifics such as exact affected versions or the nature of the sensitive data limits the granularity of the analysis, but the core issue revolves around environment variable validation flaws leading to unauthorized data access.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to those using Apple macOS systems, especially in environments where sensitive or regulated data is handled. Unauthorized access to sensitive user data could lead to breaches of confidentiality, potentially exposing personal data protected under GDPR and other privacy regulations. This could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Organizations relying on macOS for critical business functions or storing intellectual property on these systems may face increased risk of data leakage. Although exploitation requires an app to be installed or executed, the threat remains significant in environments where users may inadvertently install malicious software or where insider threats exist. The absence of known exploits suggests a window of opportunity for proactive mitigation before active exploitation occurs.

European organizations should prioritize updating affected macOS systems to macOS Tahoe 26 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed with improved environment variable validation. Until updates are applied, organizations should implement strict application control policies to prevent unauthorized or untrusted applications from running, including the use of Apple’s Gatekeeper and notarization features. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual application behavior related to environment variable manipulation. Conduct user awareness training to reduce the risk of installing untrusted apps. Additionally, implement strict access controls and data encryption to minimize the impact of any unauthorized data access. Regularly audit installed applications and environment variable configurations to detect anomalies. Finally, maintain robust incident response plans to quickly address any suspected exploitation.