CVE-2025-43358 is a vulnerability identified in Apple's macOS and related operating systems (iOS and iPadOS) that involves a permissions issue allowing a shortcut to potentially bypass sandbox restrictions. Sandboxing is a critical security mechanism designed to isolate applications and limit their access to system resources and user data, thereby containing the impact of any compromise. This vulnerability implies that a crafted shortcut—likely leveraging Apple's Shortcuts automation framework—could circumvent these sandbox constraints, enabling unauthorized access or actions beyond the intended scope. The issue affects multiple Apple operating system versions, including macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Tahoe 26, iOS 18.7, iPadOS 18.7, and their subsequent versions (iOS 26 and iPadOS 26). Apple has addressed this vulnerability by implementing additional sandbox restrictions in these versions. However, systems running earlier versions remain susceptible. The vulnerability does not currently have a CVSS score, and there are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. The lack of a CVSS score suggests that the vulnerability is newly disclosed and may require further analysis to fully understand its exploitability and impact. Given the nature of sandbox bypass, an attacker could potentially execute unauthorized code, access sensitive data, or escalate privileges within the constrained environment of a sandboxed app or process. This could lead to broader system compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering techniques. The vulnerability's exploitation likely requires the victim to run or trigger a malicious shortcut, which may involve some level of user interaction or social engineering to deliver the payload. Nonetheless, the ability to bypass sandbox restrictions represents a significant security risk, especially in environments relying heavily on sandboxing for application isolation and data protection.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a notable risk, particularly for enterprises and government agencies that utilize Apple devices extensively. The ability to bypass sandbox restrictions undermines a fundamental security control, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive corporate or personal data, execute unauthorized actions, or move laterally within a network if combined with other vulnerabilities. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, which often deploy Apple devices for secure communications and operations, could face data breaches or operational disruptions. Moreover, the vulnerability could be exploited to implant persistent malware or spyware, threatening confidentiality and integrity of information. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in Europe, including in remote work scenarios, the risk extends to endpoint security and data privacy compliance under regulations like GDPR. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk, but the potential for future exploitation necessitates proactive mitigation. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction to trigger a malicious shortcut means that phishing or social engineering campaigns could be a vector for exploitation, emphasizing the need for user awareness and controls on shortcut execution.

European organizations should prioritize updating all Apple devices to the patched versions: macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Tahoe 26, iOS 18.7, iPadOS 18.7, and later releases. This ensures the additional sandbox restrictions are in place to prevent exploitation. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict controls on the use of shortcuts, including disabling or restricting the execution of untrusted or unsigned shortcuts, especially those received from external sources. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor and alert on unusual shortcut activity or attempts to bypass sandbox policies. User education campaigns should emphasize the risks of running shortcuts from unknown or unverified sources and encourage verification before execution. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can limit the potential impact if a sandbox bypass is attempted. Additionally, organizations should review and tighten permissions granted to shortcuts and automation tools, minimizing their access to sensitive resources. Regular audits of device configurations and installed shortcuts can help detect anomalies. Finally, monitoring for indicators of compromise related to shortcut misuse or sandbox escape attempts should be integrated into security operations.