CVE-2025-43349 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS and other Apple operating systems such as tvOS, watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS. The root cause is an out-of-bounds write condition (CWE-787) triggered by processing specially crafted video files. This vulnerability arises due to insufficient input validation when handling video data, which can cause memory corruption leading to unexpected termination of the affected application. The impact is limited to denial of service (DoS) as there is no indication of confidentiality or integrity compromise. Exploitation requires local access with limited privileges (AV:L, PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R), meaning an attacker must convince a user to open or process a malicious video file. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple OS versions, with patches released in macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Sequoia 15.7, and corresponding updates for other Apple platforms. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 2.8, reflecting low severity due to limited impact and exploitation complexity. No known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability is primarily a stability and availability concern, potentially disrupting user applications or services that handle video content. Organizations relying on Apple devices should prioritize patching to prevent service interruptions and maintain system reliability.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43349 is potential denial of service caused by unexpected application crashes when processing malicious video files. This could disrupt workflows, especially in environments where video processing or playback is integral, such as media companies, creative industries, and educational institutions. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, repeated crashes could degrade user productivity and system availability. In critical infrastructure or enterprise environments where Apple devices are used for operational tasks, unexpected app termination might lead to interruptions or delays. However, the requirement for local privileges and user interaction reduces the risk of widespread exploitation. Organizations with strict security policies and user awareness training will be less vulnerable. Nonetheless, failure to patch could allow attackers to cause targeted disruptions or nuisance denial of service attacks.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Deploy the latest Apple OS updates that address CVE-2025-43349, including macOS Sonoma 14.8 and macOS Sequoia 15.7, as well as updates for iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS. 2) Enforce strict user policies to avoid opening untrusted or unsolicited video files, especially from unknown sources. 3) Utilize endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous application crashes or suspicious video file formats. 4) Educate users about the risks of processing unknown multimedia content and encourage reporting of application instability. 5) Implement application whitelisting or sandboxing for video processing applications to limit impact of crashes. 6) Monitor system logs for repeated application terminations that could indicate exploitation attempts. 7) In environments with high video file exchange, consider additional file scanning or sandboxing before allowing playback. These measures go beyond generic patching by focusing on user behavior, detection, and containment.