CVE-2025-43404 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS related to a permissions issue that allows an application to bypass sandbox restrictions and access sensitive user data. The root cause is an inadequate enforcement of sandbox policies, which are designed to isolate applications and restrict their access to system resources and user information. This vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited by an app running with low privileges on the local machine. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.1, where Apple has implemented additional sandbox restrictions to remediate the issue. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.3, reflecting a low severity primarily due to the requirement for local access and limited impact on confidentiality only, with no effect on integrity or availability. The CWE classification CWE-284 indicates an improper access control weakness. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported, suggesting limited current threat activity. However, the vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious insiders or malware to extract sensitive data from user accounts on vulnerable macOS systems.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43404 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. This could include personal information, credentials, or other confidential data stored or accessible by applications. While the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the breach of confidentiality could lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and reputational damage. Organizations with employees or systems using macOS, especially in sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, or government, may face increased risk. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or compromised endpoints could exploit this vulnerability. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for mitigation, particularly in environments with high-value data or strict compliance requirements.

European organizations should ensure all macOS devices are updated to macOS Tahoe 26.1 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Since the affected versions are unspecified, applying the latest security patches from Apple is critical. Implement strict endpoint security controls to prevent unauthorized app installations and limit local user privileges to reduce the risk of exploitation. Employ application whitelisting and sandbox monitoring tools to detect anomalous app behavior. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and user permissions to identify potential risks. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted software and enforce policies restricting software sources. For high-security environments, consider additional data encryption and access controls to protect sensitive information even if accessed by unauthorized apps. Monitor security advisories from Apple for any updates or exploit reports related to this vulnerability.