CVE-2025-43389 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple macOS and related operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS. The vulnerability arises from a flaw in the operating system code that allowed an application running with limited privileges (local access) to access sensitive user data without requiring user interaction. The issue was classified under CWE-359, which relates to exposure of sensitive information due to improper access control or race conditions. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple through code removal in multiple OS versions: macOS Tahoe 26.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1, as well as iOS 18.7.2 and iPadOS 18.7.2. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, indicating local attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, high confidentiality impact, and no impact on integrity or availability. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, making it easier to exploit once local access is obtained, but it does require the attacker to have some level of local privileges. No public exploits or active exploitation in the wild have been reported to date. The vulnerability primarily affects confidentiality by potentially exposing sensitive user data to unauthorized applications. This could include personal information, credentials, or other private data stored or accessible on the device. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple operating systems, indicating a systemic issue in the OS codebase that Apple has now remediated.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43389 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on Apple devices running affected OS versions. This could lead to privacy violations, data leakage, and compliance issues under regulations such as GDPR. Organizations relying on macOS and iOS devices for sensitive operations or storing confidential information are at risk of data exposure if devices are compromised by local attackers or malware exploiting this vulnerability. The lack of impact on integrity and availability limits the threat to confidentiality, but the exposure of sensitive data can still have significant reputational and legal consequences. Since exploitation requires local access with limited privileges, the threat is more relevant in scenarios where attackers gain physical access, use social engineering to install malicious apps, or leverage other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges locally. European enterprises with mobile workforces or bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies using Apple devices should be particularly vigilant. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for prompt patching and mitigation.

European organizations should immediately deploy the security updates released by Apple for macOS Tahoe 26.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, visionOS 26.1, and the specified iOS/iPadOS 18.7.2 versions. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application control policies to prevent installation of unauthorized or untrusted apps that could exploit local vulnerabilities. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting suspicious local privilege escalation attempts or unauthorized data access. Employ device encryption and strong access controls to reduce the risk of local attackers gaining access to devices. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and monitor for anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted software and the importance of applying system updates promptly. For high-risk environments, consider restricting physical access to devices and using mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and update compliance. Finally, monitor threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploits targeting this vulnerability to respond rapidly if exploitation attempts arise.