CVE-2025-43367 is a medium-severity privacy vulnerability affecting Apple macOS operating systems, specifically addressed in macOS Sonoma 14.8 and macOS Tahoe 26. The vulnerability arises from an app's ability to access protected user data due to insufficient isolation or improper handling of sensitive information. The root cause relates to a privacy issue where sensitive data was not adequately segregated or protected, allowing unauthorized applications to potentially read data that should have been inaccessible. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor), indicating that confidential user data could be exposed without proper authorization. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N) indicates that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently in the wild, and the affected versions are unspecified but presumably any macOS versions prior to the patched releases. The fix involved moving sensitive data to more secure locations or contexts within the OS to prevent unauthorized access by apps. This vulnerability highlights a privacy risk where malicious or compromised applications could read sensitive user data without proper permissions, potentially leading to privacy breaches or information leakage.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-43367 primarily concerns the confidentiality of sensitive user data on macOS devices. Organizations that rely on Apple hardware and software for business operations, especially those handling personal data under GDPR, face increased risk of data exposure. Unauthorized access to protected user data could lead to violations of data protection regulations, resulting in legal penalties and reputational damage. The vulnerability does not affect data integrity or system availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. However, the potential leakage of sensitive information such as credentials, personal files, or corporate data could facilitate further attacks like social engineering or targeted intrusions. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or compromised endpoints remain a concern. Organizations with a high density of macOS users, such as creative industries, tech companies, or governmental bodies using Apple devices, are particularly at risk. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation once the vulnerability becomes widely known.

European organizations should prioritize updating affected macOS systems to versions Sonoma 14.8 or Tahoe 26 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies to limit the installation and execution of untrusted or unnecessary applications on macOS devices. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for suspicious local activity and unauthorized data access attempts. User education is critical to reduce risky behaviors that could trigger exploitation, such as opening untrusted applications or files. Additionally, organizations should audit and restrict local user privileges to minimize the risk of unauthorized local access. Data encryption at rest and in transit should be enforced to protect sensitive data even if accessed improperly. Regular privacy and security assessments of macOS endpoints can help identify potential exposure. Finally, monitoring for macOS-specific threat intelligence updates and integrating them into security operations will enhance preparedness against emerging exploits targeting this vulnerability.