CVE-2025-43413 is a sandbox escape vulnerability affecting Apple operating systems including macOS, visionOS, watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS. The vulnerability stems from an access control issue where sandboxed applications, which are normally restricted in their capabilities to protect system integrity and user privacy, can observe system-wide network connections. This means that an app confined by the sandbox could potentially monitor network activity beyond its own process, gaining visibility into other applications' network connections and potentially sensitive metadata such as IP addresses, ports, and connection states. The root cause is insufficient sandbox restrictions that failed to isolate network monitoring capabilities strictly to privileged processes. Apple fixed this issue by implementing additional sandbox restrictions in the specified OS versions, effectively preventing sandboxed apps from accessing system-wide network connection information. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and there are no reports of active exploitation. However, the vulnerability poses a risk to confidentiality and privacy, as network connection data can reveal user behavior, application usage patterns, or even sensitive communication details. Exploitation requires the attacker to have the ability to install or run a sandboxed app on the target device, which is a moderate barrier but feasible in scenarios involving malicious or compromised apps. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple devices, including desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and smart TVs, increasing its potential impact surface.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of network connection information, undermining confidentiality and potentially aiding further attacks such as network reconnaissance or targeted exploitation. Organizations relying heavily on Apple devices for sensitive communications or operations could see increased risk of data leakage. This is particularly critical for sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. The ability for a sandboxed app to monitor system-wide network connections could also facilitate privacy violations and compliance issues under regulations like GDPR, as network metadata might be considered personal data. Although no active exploits are known, the widespread use of Apple devices in Europe means that unpatched systems could be targeted by attackers distributing malicious apps through enterprise or consumer channels. The impact on integrity and availability is limited, but the confidentiality breach alone warrants urgent attention.

European organizations should immediately prioritize patching affected Apple devices by upgrading to the fixed OS versions: visionOS 26.1, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, watchOS 26.1, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and tvOS 26.1. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict app vetting policies to prevent installation of untrusted or malicious sandboxed applications, including through Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions. Network monitoring and anomaly detection should be enhanced to identify unusual app behaviors that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Restricting app permissions and using Apple's privacy controls to limit network access where possible can reduce risk. Educating users about the dangers of installing apps from untrusted sources is also critical. For highly sensitive environments, consider network segmentation and limiting Apple device usage to trusted applications only. Regular audits of installed applications and their permissions can help detect potential abuse.