CVE-2025-43409 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS identified as a permissions issue related to sandbox restrictions. The flaw allows an application running with limited privileges (low privilege local access) to bypass sandbox constraints and access sensitive user data without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-359, indicating a race condition or time-of-check/time-of-use (TOCTOU) issue affecting security controls. The problem was addressed by Apple through additional sandbox restrictions in macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.1. 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, meaning the attack requires local access, low attack complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and results in high confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited active exploitation. However, the vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious local applications or attackers who have gained limited access to a system to extract sensitive user data, potentially leading to privacy breaches or data leakage. The lack of requirement for user interaction increases the risk of silent data exposure once the attacker has local access. The vulnerability affects unspecified macOS versions prior to the patched releases, so organizations should verify their macOS versions and apply updates accordingly.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43409 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. This could include personal information, credentials, or corporate data stored or accessible by user applications. The confidentiality breach could lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and reputational damage. Since the vulnerability requires local access with low privileges, the threat is more relevant in scenarios where attackers have already gained some foothold on a device, such as through phishing, insider threats, or compromised applications. The absence of integrity or availability impact limits the risk of system disruption or data manipulation. However, the ability to silently access sensitive data without user interaction increases the stealth and persistence potential of an attacker. Organizations with a significant macOS user base, especially in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data (finance, healthcare, government), face higher risks. The medium severity score reflects a moderate risk that must be addressed promptly to prevent escalation or lateral movement within networks.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to Sequoia 15.7.2, Tahoe 26.1, or later versions that include the patch for CVE-2025-43409. 2. Conduct an inventory of all macOS systems in the environment to identify unpatched devices. 3. Restrict local access to macOS devices by enforcing strong endpoint security controls, including multi-factor authentication and least privilege policies. 4. Monitor for unusual application behavior or unauthorized access attempts on macOS endpoints, focusing on apps with sandbox permissions. 5. Implement application whitelisting or endpoint protection solutions that can detect or block suspicious local applications attempting to access sensitive data. 6. Educate users on the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of applying system updates promptly. 7. Review and tighten sandbox policies and permissions for applications where possible to minimize data exposure. 8. For high-risk environments, consider additional data encryption at rest and in use to reduce the impact of potential data access. 9. Maintain regular backups and incident response plans to quickly address any data breaches resulting from exploitation.