CVE-2025-43332 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS related to a file quarantine bypass that enables an application to escape its sandbox environment. The sandbox is a critical security mechanism that restricts application capabilities to prevent unauthorized access to system resources and user data. This vulnerability arises from insufficient checks in the file quarantine mechanism, which is designed to flag and restrict files downloaded from untrusted sources. By bypassing these checks, a malicious or compromised app running with limited privileges can break out of its sandbox containment, potentially accessing or modifying data and system components beyond its intended scope. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to macOS Sonoma 14.8 and macOS Sequoia 15.7, where Apple implemented additional validation to close this gap. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.2, reflecting a medium severity with an attack vector of local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and a scope change (S:C). The impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity, with no direct availability impact. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported to date. The weakness is categorized under CWE-284, indicating an authorization bypass issue. This vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers who have already gained limited access to a system to escalate their privileges or access sensitive information. The fix involves enhanced quarantine checks that prevent unauthorized sandbox escape attempts.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of local privilege escalation and unauthorized data access on macOS systems. If exploited, attackers could bypass sandbox restrictions, potentially accessing confidential information or modifying system files, which undermines data integrity. This is particularly concerning for organizations handling sensitive personal data under GDPR or intellectual property in technology and research sectors. Although exploitation requires local access with low privileges, it could be combined with other attack vectors such as phishing or malware delivery to achieve a broader compromise. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but delayed patching could expose organizations to targeted attacks. The impact is more pronounced in environments with a high density of macOS devices, such as creative industries, software development firms, and enterprises using Apple hardware for critical operations. Disruption to confidentiality and integrity could lead to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational challenges.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to at least macOS Sonoma 14.8 or macOS Sequoia 15.7 to apply the security patch that addresses this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict endpoint security policies that limit local user privileges and monitor for unusual application behaviors indicative of sandbox escape attempts. Employing application whitelisting and restricting installation of untrusted software can reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this flaw. Regular audits of file quarantine settings and sandbox configurations can help detect misconfigurations or policy deviations. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be tuned to alert on suspicious local privilege escalations or unauthorized access attempts. User training to avoid downloading and running untrusted applications complements technical controls. For managed macOS fleets, automated patch management and compliance reporting are essential to ensure timely remediation. Network segmentation can limit lateral movement if an endpoint is compromised. Finally, maintaining up-to-date backups ensures recovery in case of integrity breaches.