CVE-2025-43304 is a race condition vulnerability identified in Apple macOS operating systems, specifically addressed in versions Sonoma 14.8 and Sequoia 15.7. The vulnerability arises due to improper state handling within the OS, classified under CWE-362 (Race Condition). This flaw allows a local application with limited privileges (low privileges) to exploit the timing issue and escalate its privileges to root, effectively gaining full administrative control over the system. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have some level of access to the machine, but it does not require user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability has a high attack complexity (AC:H), indicating that exploitation is non-trivial and likely requires precise timing or conditions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.0, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high). No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the potential for privilege escalation makes this a critical concern for system security. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to the patched releases, implying a broad range of macOS versions could be vulnerable. The root cause is a race condition, which is a concurrency issue where the system's state can be manipulated in an unexpected sequence, allowing privilege escalation. This vulnerability underscores the importance of robust state management in OS kernel or system components that handle privilege boundaries.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-43304 is significant due to the potential for local privilege escalation to root, which can lead to full system compromise. Confidential data stored on macOS devices could be exposed or altered, critical system processes could be disrupted, and attackers could install persistent malware or backdoors. Organizations relying on macOS for sensitive operations, such as financial institutions, government agencies, and technology companies, face heightened risks. The vulnerability could also undermine endpoint security solutions running on macOS, enabling attackers to bypass defenses. Given the high adoption of Apple devices in certain European markets and sectors, the threat could affect a wide range of users. Although exploitation requires local access and is complex, insider threats or attackers who gain initial footholds could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and move laterally within networks. This elevates the risk of data breaches, operational disruption, and reputational damage.

To mitigate CVE-2025-43304, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Immediately deploy the security updates provided by Apple in macOS Sonoma 14.8 and Sequoia 15.7 or later versions to all affected devices. 2) Enforce strict local access controls, limiting the number of users with local login capabilities and applying the principle of least privilege. 3) Monitor and audit local user activities for suspicious behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous process behavior related to privilege escalation. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of running untrusted applications locally. 6) Where possible, implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized apps from executing. 7) Regularly review and harden macOS security configurations, including System Integrity Protection (SIP) and mandatory access controls. 8) Maintain up-to-date backups to enable recovery in case of compromise. These measures, combined with timely patching, will reduce the risk of exploitation and limit potential damage.