CVE-2025-43325 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that stems from an access control issue related to sandbox restrictions. Specifically, the sandbox environment, which is designed to isolate applications and restrict their access to sensitive system and user data, was insufficiently restrictive, allowing a malicious or compromised app to bypass these controls and access sensitive user information. The vulnerability does not require any privileges (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as the user launching or interacting with the malicious app. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have local access to the system, for example, by convincing the user to install or run a malicious app. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (C:H) but does not affect integrity or availability. The weakness is classified under CWE-284, which relates to improper access control. Apple addressed this issue by implementing additional sandbox restrictions in macOS Tahoe 26, effectively closing the access gap. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the medium CVSS score of 5.5 reflects a moderate risk due to the potential sensitivity of the data exposed and the ease of exploitation given user interaction. The affected versions are unspecified but presumably include all versions prior to macOS Tahoe 26. This vulnerability highlights the importance of sandboxing as a security mechanism and the risks when such controls are insufficiently enforced.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43325 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. This could include personal information, credentials, or other confidential data stored or accessible on the system. Organizations with employees using macOS systems, especially in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data such as finance, healthcare, and government, face increased risk of data leakage. Although the attack requires local access and user interaction, social engineering or supply chain attacks could facilitate exploitation. The confidentiality breach could lead to compliance violations under GDPR and damage to organizational reputation. Since integrity and availability are not impacted, operational disruption is unlikely. However, the breach of sensitive data could enable further attacks such as identity theft or targeted phishing. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, emphasizing the need for proactive patching and user awareness.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading all macOS systems to macOS Tahoe 26 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. Restricting the installation of applications to trusted sources, such as the Apple App Store or enterprise-approved software repositories, will reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Implementing strict endpoint protection and application whitelisting can prevent unauthorized or suspicious apps from running. User education is critical to minimize risky behaviors, such as installing unverified software or clicking on unknown links that could lead to local compromise. Monitoring for unusual local application behavior or access patterns to sensitive data can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review and tighten sandbox policies and access controls where possible, and maintain up-to-date inventories of macOS devices to ensure comprehensive patch management. Employing multi-factor authentication and encryption for sensitive data adds layers of defense in case of data exposure.