CVE-2025-43335 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to access user-sensitive data improperly due to insufficient access control mechanisms (classified under CWE-284). The vulnerability was addressed by Apple through additional logic added in macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, and macOS Sonoma 14.8.2. The flaw permits an app, without requiring any privileges (PR:N), to gain access to sensitive data, provided the user interacts with the app (UI:R). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have local access to the machine. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (C:H) but does not affect integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The CVSS score of 5.5 reflects a medium severity, balancing the high confidentiality impact against the limited attack vector and requirement for user interaction. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating limited current exploitation but a potential risk if weaponized. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to the patched releases, so organizations running older macOS versions are at risk. The root cause is related to improper access control, allowing unauthorized data access by apps that should not have such permissions. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where sensitive user data is stored or processed on macOS devices.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data, which can include personal information, credentials, or corporate secrets depending on the app's access scope. The confidentiality breach could lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), reputational damage, and potential financial losses. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the threat is more significant in environments where users may install untrusted applications or be targeted by social engineering. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies in Europe, which often handle sensitive data on macOS devices, could be particularly impacted. The medium severity suggests that while the risk is notable, it is not critical, but organizations should not ignore patching and mitigation. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to the fixed versions: Sequoia 15.7.2, Tahoe 26.1, or Sonoma 14.8.2. Restricting app installations to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and enforcing strict application whitelisting policies can reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. User education on the risks of installing unverified applications and recognizing social engineering attempts is critical. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of monitoring and blocking suspicious app behaviors. Regular audits of installed applications and permissions can help identify and remove potentially vulnerable or unauthorized software. For highly sensitive environments, consider implementing additional access controls and data encryption to minimize the impact of any unauthorized data access. Monitoring for unusual local activity on macOS devices may also help detect exploitation attempts early.