CVE-2025-43382 is a security vulnerability identified in Apple macOS operating systems, stemming from a parsing issue in the handling of directory paths. Specifically, the vulnerability involves insufficient validation of directory paths, which can be exploited by a malicious application to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data stored on the system. The root cause is an improper path validation mechanism that allows an app to bypass normal access controls by manipulating directory paths, potentially leading to exposure of confidential information. Apple has addressed this vulnerability by improving path validation in macOS Sonoma 14.8.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, which are the patched versions that remediate the issue. The affected versions are not explicitly specified, but it can be inferred that all versions prior to these patches are vulnerable. There are currently no known exploits in the wild, indicating that active exploitation has not been observed. The vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality of user data, as it allows unauthorized access rather than code execution or system compromise. Exploitation would require an attacker to have an app installed or executed on the target macOS device, but it does not appear to require user interaction beyond that. The lack of a CVSS score necessitates an assessment based on the impact on confidentiality, ease of exploitation, and scope of affected systems. Given the widespread use of macOS in enterprise and personal environments, this vulnerability poses a significant risk if left unpatched.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-43382 could be substantial, particularly for those relying on macOS devices for sensitive operations, including sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology. Unauthorized access to sensitive user data could lead to data breaches, loss of intellectual property, exposure of personal identifiable information (PII), and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. The confidentiality breach could undermine trust and result in financial penalties. Since the vulnerability allows data access without requiring complex exploitation or user interaction, attackers with the ability to install or run apps on corporate macOS devices could leverage this flaw to escalate data access privileges. This risk is heightened in environments where endpoint security controls are weak or where users have elevated privileges. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive patching and mitigation, but the potential impact remains high if exploited.

European organizations should immediately prioritize updating all macOS devices to at least macOS Sonoma 14.8.2 or macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 to apply the patch addressing this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application control policies to prevent unauthorized or untrusted apps from being installed or executed on macOS endpoints. Implementing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual file system access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Regular audits of installed applications and restricting user privileges to the minimum necessary can reduce the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and maintain robust backup and incident response plans to quickly address any potential data breaches. Network segmentation and data encryption can further limit the exposure of sensitive data even if an app attempts unauthorized access.