CVE-2025-43393 is a sandbox escape vulnerability in Apple macOS identified by a permissions issue that allowed applications to break out of their restricted execution environment. The sandbox is a critical security mechanism designed to isolate applications, limiting their access to system resources and user data. This vulnerability arises from insufficient enforcement of sandbox restrictions, enabling an app with limited privileges to escalate its permissions and potentially access or modify data outside its sandbox. The issue was addressed by Apple in macOS Tahoe 26.1 through additional sandbox restrictions that close the permissions gap. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges (AV:L, PR:L), does not require user interaction (UI:N), and affects confidentiality and integrity (C:L, I:L) but not availability (A:N). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component. The CVSS score of 5.2 reflects a medium severity, indicating moderate risk. No public exploits have been reported, suggesting limited or no active exploitation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), highlighting a failure in enforcing correct permission boundaries. Organizations running macOS versions prior to Tahoe 26.1 are vulnerable and should prioritize patching. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where attackers can gain local access, such as through phishing, social engineering, or insider threats. The ability to escape the sandbox could allow attackers to access sensitive files, credentials, or system components, undermining system security and user privacy.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily in environments where macOS is widely used, such as creative industries, software development, education, and certain government agencies. The ability for an app to escape its sandbox could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, intellectual property theft, or further privilege escalation attacks. Confidentiality and integrity of data could be compromised, potentially affecting compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations. While availability is not impacted, the breach of sandbox boundaries could facilitate lateral movement within networks or persistence mechanisms for attackers. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS devices are at increased risk if endpoint security controls are weak. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation. The medium severity suggests that while the vulnerability is not critical, it should be addressed promptly to prevent exploitation scenarios that could lead to significant data breaches or operational disruptions.

1. Immediately update all macOS systems to version Tahoe 26.1 or later to apply the official patch that addresses the sandbox escape vulnerability. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and control policies to limit the installation and execution of untrusted or unsigned applications, reducing the risk of malicious apps gaining local access. 3. Enforce the principle of least privilege for user accounts to minimize the impact of any local compromise, ensuring users operate with the minimum necessary permissions. 4. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for suspicious behavior indicative of sandbox escape attempts or privilege escalation. 5. Conduct regular security awareness training focused on preventing local access vectors such as phishing or social engineering that could lead to initial compromise. 6. Review and harden macOS security configurations, including System Integrity Protection (SIP) and sandbox profiles, to further restrict app capabilities. 7. Monitor system logs and audit trails for anomalies related to sandbox violations or unexpected permission changes. 8. For sensitive environments, consider network segmentation to limit the lateral movement potential of compromised macOS devices. These measures, combined with timely patching, will significantly reduce the risk posed by this vulnerability.