CVE-2025-43367 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically addressed in macOS Sonoma 14.8. The flaw involves an application’s ability to access protected user data that should otherwise be restricted. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor), indicating that sensitive data confidentiality can be compromised. The root cause was related to how sensitive data was stored or referenced, which Apple mitigated by moving the data to a more secure location within the system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, meaning the attack requires local access (local vector), low attack complexity, no privileges, user interaction, and impacts confidentiality significantly but not integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited or no active exploitation currently. However, the vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious local applications or attackers who trick users into executing malicious code locally. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to 14.8, so all users not updated to this version remain vulnerable. The issue is significant because macOS is widely used in enterprise and personal environments, and unauthorized access to protected user data can lead to privacy breaches, data leakage, and potential compliance violations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the confidentiality of sensitive user and corporate data stored or processed on macOS devices. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government, which often handle sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, could face data privacy violations if exploited. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, so the threat vector is primarily insider threats, compromised endpoints, or social engineering attacks leading to local execution of malicious apps. The impact includes potential exposure of personal identifiable information (PII), intellectual property, or confidential communications. While it does not affect system integrity or availability, the breach of confidentiality alone can result in reputational damage, regulatory fines, and loss of customer trust. Organizations relying on macOS for critical operations or remote work environments should consider this vulnerability a moderate risk until patched.

European organizations should immediately ensure all macOS devices are updated to macOS Sonoma 14.8 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Implement strict application control policies to limit installation of untrusted or unsigned applications, reducing the risk of malicious local apps exploiting this flaw. Educate users about the risks of executing unknown applications and the importance of user interaction in exploitation. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring local app behavior for suspicious access to protected data. Regularly audit and restrict local user privileges to minimize the attack surface. For organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, enforce compliance with update and security standards. Additionally, monitor for any emerging exploit reports or indicators of compromise related to this CVE to respond promptly.