CVE-2025-43329 is a sandbox escape vulnerability affecting Apple’s iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS platforms, fixed in version 26 of these operating systems. The root cause is a permissions issue that allowed an app with limited privileges to break out of its sandbox environment, which is designed to isolate apps and prevent them from accessing unauthorized system resources or other apps’ data. The vulnerability is identified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), indicating that the system failed to enforce proper authorization checks. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting a high-severity issue with local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated high (C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating that a successful exploit could lead to full device compromise, including data theft, unauthorized code execution, and denial of service. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability’s nature makes it a critical concern for environments where iOS and iPadOS devices are widely used. The fix involves additional restrictions on permissions to prevent sandbox escape, implemented in the latest OS updates. Organizations should prioritize patching and review app installation policies to mitigate risks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Apple mobile devices in both consumer and enterprise environments. A sandbox escape allows malicious apps to access sensitive data, execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, and potentially disrupt device operations. This can lead to data breaches, espionage, and operational disruptions, especially in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure where iOS devices are commonly used for secure communications and data access. The ability to exploit this vulnerability without user interaction increases the risk of stealthy attacks. Additionally, compromised devices could be used as footholds for lateral movement within corporate networks. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high CVSS score indicates that once exploited, the consequences could be severe.

1. Immediately update all Apple devices to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, or watchOS 26 as applicable to apply the security patches addressing this vulnerability. 2. Enforce strict app vetting and installation policies, limiting installation to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions. 3. Monitor device behavior for unusual activities that could indicate sandbox escape attempts, including unexpected privilege escalations or unauthorized access to system resources. 4. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of timely OS updates. 5. Implement network segmentation and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and contain potential compromises originating from mobile devices. 6. Regularly audit device compliance with security policies and update incident response plans to include mobile device compromise scenarios.