CVE-2025-43307 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to access sensitive user data without proper authorization. The root cause is an authorization bypass (CWE-863), where the system fails to enforce adequate permission checks before granting access to certain user data. This flaw can be exploited by a local application running on the affected macOS versions, enabling it to read sensitive information without requiring elevated privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple in macOS Tahoe 26 through improved authorization checks that prevent unauthorized actions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.0, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N, meaning the attack requires local access, low attack complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and impacts confidentiality only. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date. The affected versions are unspecified, but it is implied that all versions prior to macOS Tahoe 26 are vulnerable. This vulnerability primarily threatens confidentiality by exposing sensitive user data to unauthorized local apps, but it does not affect system integrity or availability. The lack of required privileges or user interaction lowers the barrier to exploitation in environments where untrusted or malicious apps can be executed locally. This makes it particularly relevant for organizations with macOS endpoints that allow user-installed applications or have less restrictive application control policies.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of sensitive data leakage from macOS endpoints. Confidentiality breaches could lead to exposure of personal data, intellectual property, or other sensitive information, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The impact is heightened in sectors with stringent privacy requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government. Since exploitation requires local access but no privileges or user interaction, insider threats or compromised user accounts could leverage this flaw to escalate data access. Organizations with a high density of macOS devices, especially those allowing user-installed software without strict controls, are more vulnerable. While the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality impact alone can result in reputational damage, regulatory fines, and loss of customer trust. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits post-disclosure.

The primary mitigation is to update all macOS devices to macOS Tahoe 26 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Organizations should enforce strict patch management policies to ensure timely deployment of this update. Additionally, implement application control policies to restrict installation and execution of untrusted or unsigned applications, reducing the risk of local exploitation. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious local application behavior that may attempt unauthorized data access. Limit user privileges and use macOS’s built-in security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and sandboxing to reduce the attack surface. Conduct user awareness training to minimize risks from insider threats. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, consider isolating macOS devices or restricting access to sensitive data through additional encryption or access controls. Regularly audit macOS endpoints for compliance and unusual activity related to data access.