CVE-2025-43319 is a vulnerability identified in Apple's macOS operating system that potentially allows a malicious application to access protected user data without proper authorization. The vulnerability stems from a flaw in the macOS codebase that permitted unauthorized access to sensitive user information, which could include personal files, credentials, or other protected data. Apple addressed this issue by removing the vulnerable code in recent macOS releases: Sequoia 15.7, Sonoma 14.8, and Tahoe 26. The exact affected versions prior to these patches are unspecified, but the vulnerability was significant enough to warrant code removal rather than patching. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, indicating that active exploitation has not been observed or publicly disclosed. The lack of a CVSS score suggests that the vulnerability was either recently discovered or not fully evaluated at the time of publication. However, the nature of the vulnerability—unauthorized access to protected user data—implies a serious breach of confidentiality. Since the vulnerability allows an app to bypass normal access controls, it could be exploited by malicious or compromised applications to exfiltrate sensitive information. The technical details do not specify whether user interaction or authentication is required, but given the context, it is likely that the app would need to be installed or run by the user, implying some level of user interaction or social engineering might be necessary. The vulnerability affects macOS, Apple's desktop operating system, which is widely used in both consumer and enterprise environments. The removal of the vulnerable code in the latest macOS versions indicates a permanent fix rather than a temporary patch, emphasizing the critical nature of the issue.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive data stored on macOS devices. Organizations that rely on macOS for critical operations, including sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government, could face data breaches if malicious applications exploit this flaw. The unauthorized access to protected user data could lead to leakage of personally identifiable information (PII), intellectual property, or confidential business information. This could result in reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR, and operational disruptions. Since macOS is commonly used in creative industries, technology firms, and increasingly in corporate environments across Europe, the potential impact spans multiple sectors. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability details become widely known. The requirement for an app to be installed suggests that organizations with strict application control policies and endpoint protection may mitigate some risk. However, organizations with lax controls or users with administrative privileges are more vulnerable. The impact on integrity and availability is less direct but could occur if attackers leverage the data access to further compromise systems or disrupt operations.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to the fixed versions: Sequoia 15.7, Sonoma 14.8, or Tahoe 26, as these contain the removal of the vulnerable code. Until updates are applied, organizations should enforce strict application whitelisting and restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned applications to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be configured to monitor for unusual access patterns to protected user data and alert on suspicious app behaviors. User education is critical to prevent social engineering attacks that might trick users into installing malicious applications. Additionally, organizations should audit existing macOS devices for unauthorized or suspicious applications and remove them promptly. Implementing least privilege principles for user accounts can limit the ability of malicious apps to access sensitive data. Network segmentation and data loss prevention (DLP) tools can help contain potential data exfiltration. Finally, organizations should monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit reports related to CVE-2025-43319 to respond rapidly if exploitation attempts are detected.