CVE-2025-43412 is a sandbox escape vulnerability in Apple macOS that arises from a file quarantine bypass. The macOS sandbox is a security mechanism designed to isolate applications and restrict their access to system resources and user data, thereby limiting the potential damage from malicious or compromised apps. This vulnerability allows an app to circumvent these sandbox restrictions by exploiting weaknesses in the file quarantine mechanism, which is intended to prevent untrusted files from executing without user consent or additional security checks. Apple addressed this issue by implementing additional checks in the file quarantine process, which were released in macOS Sonoma 14.8.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.7.2. The vulnerability affects unspecified macOS versions prior to these patches. While no public exploits have been reported, the ability to break out of the sandbox can lead to privilege escalation, unauthorized access to sensitive data, and the execution of arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This could facilitate further attacks such as persistence mechanisms, lateral movement within networks, or data exfiltration. The lack of a CVSS score means severity must be assessed based on the potential impact and exploitation complexity. Since sandbox escapes typically require a malicious app to be installed or executed, user interaction or social engineering may be necessary, but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high if exploited successfully.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant security risk, especially those relying on macOS devices for critical operations. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass sandbox restrictions, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, disruption of services, or installation of persistent malware. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and technology, which often use Apple hardware for secure environments, could face increased risks of data breaches or operational disruption. The confidentiality of sensitive information could be compromised, integrity of systems undermined, and availability impacted if attackers deploy destructive payloads. Furthermore, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies that include macOS devices may face additional exposure. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits following public disclosure. European organizations should consider this vulnerability a high priority for patching and monitoring.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to the latest patched versions: macOS Sonoma 14.8.2 or macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 or later. 2. Enforce strict application whitelisting policies to prevent the execution of untrusted or unsigned applications that could exploit this vulnerability. 3. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for suspicious sandbox escape behaviors or unusual file quarantine bypass attempts. 4. Educate users on the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of applying system updates promptly. 5. Restrict administrative privileges to limit the impact of any successful sandbox escape. 6. Regularly audit macOS device configurations to ensure compliance with security policies and verify that no unauthorized software is installed. 7. Monitor security advisories from Apple and threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploit reports or additional patches. 8. For organizations with BYOD policies, enforce minimum OS version requirements and consider mobile device management (MDM) solutions to control device security posture.