CVE-2025-43357 is a vulnerability in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms that allows an application to fingerprint the user by leveraging insufficient redaction of sensitive information. Fingerprinting here refers to the ability of an app to collect unique device or user characteristics that can be used to track or identify the user across different contexts without explicit consent. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of sensitive data within the operating system, which an app can access despite restrictions intended to protect user privacy. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved redaction techniques in the latest OS releases: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26. The CVSS score of 5.5 (medium severity) reflects that the attack vector is local (AV:L), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The impact is primarily on confidentiality, as the attacker can gather sensitive user information for fingerprinting, but does not affect integrity or availability. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-359 (Exposure of Sensitive Information Through Data Redaction Failure). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating it is either newly discovered or not yet weaponized. This vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting user privacy on mobile platforms, especially given the widespread use of apps that request various permissions.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43357 is the potential compromise of user privacy and confidentiality. Fingerprinting can enable unauthorized tracking of users, which may violate GDPR and other privacy regulations, leading to legal and reputational risks. Organizations that provide mobile apps or services on Apple devices may face increased scrutiny if their apps inadvertently exploit this vulnerability or if attackers use it to profile users. The vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, but the exposure of sensitive user data can facilitate targeted phishing, social engineering, or surveillance activities. Enterprises relying heavily on Apple mobile devices for workforce mobility or customer engagement should be aware of the risk of user tracking and data leakage. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability details are widely known.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading all Apple devices to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS Tahoe 26 as soon as these updates are available. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict app vetting and permission management policies to limit the ability of apps to access sensitive information unnecessarily. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and monitor app behavior for anomalous data access patterns indicative of fingerprinting attempts. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and the importance of applying OS updates promptly. Where possible, restrict app installation to trusted sources and consider deploying privacy-enhancing technologies that limit fingerprinting vectors. Regularly audit apps and device configurations to ensure compliance with privacy standards and detect potential misuse of sensitive data. Finally, maintain awareness of threat intelligence updates regarding this vulnerability to respond quickly to emerging exploit techniques.