CVE-2025-43411 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application to access user-sensitive data due to insufficient entitlement checks. Entitlements in macOS are security mechanisms that restrict app capabilities and access to system resources and user data. This vulnerability arises when an app can bypass or exploit weak entitlement validation, enabling it to read sensitive information without proper authorization. The issue was addressed by Apple through enhanced entitlement verification in macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, and macOS Sonoma 14.8.2. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with the vector indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), no integrity impact (I:N), and no availability impact (A:N). This means an attacker must have local access and trick a user into interacting with a malicious app to exploit the vulnerability. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information). No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability affects unspecified macOS versions prior to the patched releases, implying a broad potential impact on users running older or unpatched systems. The root cause is insufficient entitlement checks that allowed unauthorized access to sensitive user data, which could include personal files, credentials, or other protected information. This vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability but poses a significant confidentiality risk.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43411 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. This could lead to privacy violations, leakage of confidential business information, or exposure of personal data protected under GDPR. Organizations relying on macOS endpoints for critical operations or handling sensitive data are at risk of data breaches if devices remain unpatched. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but insider threats or social engineering attacks could leverage this vulnerability. The confidentiality impact is high, but the lack of integrity or availability impact reduces the risk of system disruption. However, data exposure incidents could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and financial losses. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently lowers immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS devices must prioritize patching to mitigate exposure. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited in targeted attacks against high-value individuals or organizations within Europe.

1. Immediately apply the security updates released by Apple: macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, and macOS Sonoma 14.8.2 or later versions. 2. Conduct an inventory of all macOS devices in the organization to identify unpatched systems and prioritize patch deployment. 3. Review and restrict app installation policies to limit the execution of untrusted or unsigned applications that could exploit entitlement weaknesses. 4. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of monitoring and blocking suspicious app behaviors related to entitlement misuse. 5. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted applications and the importance of applying system updates promptly. 6. Audit app entitlements and permissions regularly to ensure only necessary access is granted, minimizing the attack surface. 7. Employ application whitelisting or macOS’s built-in security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and notarization to reduce the risk of malicious app execution. 8. Monitor logs and alerts for unusual access to sensitive data on macOS devices to detect potential exploitation attempts. 9. For organizations with sensitive data, consider additional data encryption and access controls to limit exposure even if an app gains unauthorized access. 10. Coordinate with IT and security teams to integrate macOS patch management into broader vulnerability management programs.