CVE-2025-43329 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple iOS and iPadOS, as well as related operating systems including watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26. The vulnerability arises from a permissions issue that allows an application to potentially break out of its sandbox environment. Sandboxing is a critical security mechanism in Apple operating systems that restricts apps to a limited set of resources and data, preventing them from accessing or modifying system components or other apps' data. This vulnerability, classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), indicates that the affected systems failed to properly enforce authorization checks, enabling an app with limited privileges to escalate its permissions beyond intended boundaries. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the severity, with the vector indicating that exploitation requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), privileges required (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and that the impact is critical across confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits are reported in the wild yet, the potential for an app to escape sandbox restrictions could allow attackers to access sensitive user data, modify system settings, install persistent malware, or disrupt device functionality. The vulnerability has been addressed by Apple in the latest OS versions (iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26) through additional restrictions and improved permission checks. However, devices running earlier versions remain at risk until updated.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses significant risks, especially for enterprises relying on iOS and iPadOS devices for business operations, communications, and sensitive data handling. A successful sandbox escape could enable malicious apps to access corporate data, intercept communications, or install persistent malware, potentially leading to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of business processes. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, organizations handling regulated data (e.g., GDPR-protected personal data, financial information, or critical infrastructure controls) could face compliance violations and reputational damage. The lack of required user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation once an attacker gains local access, which could occur via social engineering, malicious app distribution, or insider threats. The vulnerability also threatens mobile device management (MDM) environments if compromised devices are used to pivot into corporate networks. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the high severity and potential impact warrant urgent attention from European organizations to prevent exploitation.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Immediate deployment of Apple’s security updates by upgrading all iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS devices to version 26 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2) Enforce strict app vetting policies, including restricting app installations to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and using enterprise app whitelisting to prevent installation of untrusted or potentially malicious apps. 3) Implement robust mobile device management (MDM) solutions to monitor device compliance, enforce security policies, and remotely restrict or wipe compromised devices. 4) Educate users about the risks of installing unauthorized apps or profiles and encourage prompt reporting of suspicious device behavior. 5) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on mobile platforms to detect potential exploitation attempts. 6) For highly sensitive environments, consider additional endpoint protection solutions that monitor for anomalous app behavior indicative of sandbox escape attempts. 7) Maintain network segmentation and zero-trust principles to limit lateral movement if a device is compromised. These measures, combined with timely patching, will significantly reduce the risk posed by this vulnerability.