CVE-2025-43397 is a permissions-related vulnerability in Apple macOS that could allow a local application to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The issue stems from improper permission checks in certain macOS components, which allowed an app with limited privileges to trigger a system resource exhaustion or crash, thereby impacting system availability. Apple resolved the vulnerability by removing the vulnerable code in the security updates released for macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, and macOS Sonoma 14.8.2. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization), indicating that the affected code failed to enforce proper access controls. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, meaning the attack requires local access with low privileges, no user interaction, and results in high impact on availability only. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, but the vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious local apps or attackers who have gained limited access to macOS systems to disrupt operations. The affected versions are unspecified but presumably include versions prior to the patched releases. This vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity but can cause service interruptions, which may be critical in certain environments.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43397 is the potential for denial-of-service conditions on macOS devices, which can disrupt business operations, especially in environments relying on Apple hardware for critical tasks. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, media, and government agencies that use macOS extensively could experience operational downtime or degraded service availability. Although the vulnerability requires local access, insider threats or attackers who have already compromised user accounts could exploit this flaw to escalate disruption. The lack of confidentiality or integrity impact reduces the risk of data breaches but does not diminish the operational risks associated with system unavailability. Organizations with mixed OS environments may face challenges in incident response and recovery if macOS systems become unresponsive. Additionally, the absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive patching to mitigate risk before exploitation occurs.

European organizations should immediately verify the macOS versions deployed and prioritize updating to macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, Tahoe 26.1, or Sonoma 14.8.2, where the vulnerability is fixed. Restrict installation and execution of untrusted or unsigned applications to reduce the risk of local exploitation. Implement strict endpoint security policies, including application whitelisting and least privilege principles, to limit the ability of low-privilege apps to cause harm. Monitor system logs and behavior for signs of abnormal crashes or resource exhaustion that could indicate exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of installing unauthorized software and maintain robust access controls to prevent unauthorized local access. Regularly audit and update security configurations and ensure that macOS devices are enrolled in centralized patch management systems. In environments with critical macOS usage, consider deploying additional monitoring tools to detect denial-of-service conditions early and automate remediation workflows.