CVE-2025-43354 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS, all at version 26. The root cause is a logging issue where sensitive user data is insufficiently redacted before being recorded in system logs. This flaw allows an application, potentially without elevated privileges, to access sensitive information that should not be exposed. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-532, which relates to exposure of sensitive information through logs. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.5 (medium severity), with an attack vector of local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N, A:N). Exploitation requires that a user interacts with a malicious app or process that can read logs containing sensitive data. Apple has addressed this issue by improving data redaction mechanisms in the affected OS versions, preventing sensitive data from being logged in an accessible manner. No public exploits have been reported, but the vulnerability poses a risk of sensitive data leakage if exploited.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality of sensitive user data on Apple devices. If exploited, malicious apps could access private information from logs, potentially leading to data breaches involving personal or corporate data. This risk is particularly relevant for sectors with high privacy requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government. The impact is mitigated by the requirement for local access and user interaction, but the widespread use of Apple devices in Europe increases the attack surface. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those relying on iOS/iPadOS devices for critical operations should be vigilant. Data leakage could result in regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. However, the reputational damage and compliance risks from data exposure are significant considerations.

1. Immediately update all Apple devices to the latest OS versions (visionOS 26, tvOS 26, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26) where the issue is fixed. 2. Enforce strict app installation policies, allowing only trusted apps from the official Apple App Store. 3. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified apps and the importance of avoiding suspicious links or prompts requiring interaction. 4. Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to monitor and restrict app permissions and behaviors, especially access to logs or diagnostic data. 5. Regularly audit logs and device configurations to detect unusual access patterns or unauthorized apps. 6. For sensitive environments, consider disabling or limiting logging features that may expose sensitive data until patches are applied. 7. Coordinate with Apple support for any additional security advisories or patches. 8. Review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving data leakage through logging vulnerabilities.