CVE-2025-43414 is a permissions validation vulnerability in the Shortcuts app on Apple macOS platforms. The Shortcuts app allows users to automate tasks by creating workflows that can access files and system resources. This vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of file access permissions within the Shortcuts app, enabling a crafted shortcut to access files that should normally be inaccessible. This could include sensitive or private user data stored on the device. The issue affects multiple versions of macOS prior to the patched releases, specifically addressed in macOS Sonoma 14.8.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.7.2. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication or elevated privileges beyond the ability to run shortcuts, and exploitation does not necessarily require user interaction beyond executing the malicious shortcut. While no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the potential for unauthorized data access poses a significant risk. The vulnerability highlights a gap in the sandboxing and permission enforcement mechanisms of the Shortcuts app, which is designed to limit file system access to protect user privacy. Organizations relying on macOS devices, especially those using automation workflows, could be exposed to data leakage or privacy breaches if this vulnerability is exploited. The lack of a CVSS score necessitates an assessment based on impact and exploitability factors.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files on macOS devices, potentially exposing confidential business data, intellectual property, or personal information of employees and customers. The Shortcuts app is commonly used for productivity and automation, so exploitation could be stealthy and difficult to detect. This could undermine data confidentiality and privacy compliance obligations under regulations such as GDPR. The impact is particularly relevant for sectors with high macOS adoption, including technology firms, creative industries, and financial services. If exploited, attackers could bypass intended file access restrictions, leading to data leakage or facilitating further attacks by harvesting sensitive information. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability is public. The vulnerability does not appear to affect system integrity or availability directly but poses a significant confidentiality risk. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS devices are also at increased risk due to potentially less controlled environments.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to versions macOS Sonoma 14.8.2 or macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 or later to apply the official patches addressing this vulnerability. 2. Restrict the use of the Shortcuts app to trusted users and workflows only, limiting the ability to run unverified or third-party shortcuts. 3. Implement endpoint security solutions capable of monitoring and controlling shortcut execution and file access patterns to detect anomalous behavior. 4. Educate users about the risks of running shortcuts from untrusted sources and enforce policies to prevent execution of unauthorized automation scripts. 5. Review and audit existing shortcuts in use within the organization to ensure they do not request excessive file permissions or access sensitive directories unnecessarily. 6. Employ macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Full Disk Encryption (FileVault) to reduce the impact of unauthorized file access. 7. Monitor security advisories from Apple and threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploit activity related to this vulnerability. 8. Consider network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of sensitive data on macOS devices in case of compromise.