CVE-2025-43414 is a permissions validation vulnerability affecting the Shortcuts app on Apple macOS platforms. The flaw arises from insufficient validation of file access permissions within the Shortcuts environment, allowing a maliciously crafted shortcut to access files that should normally be inaccessible to it. This could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored on the device. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: Sequoia 15.7.2, Tahoe 26.1, and Sonoma 14.8.2. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning an attacker requires local access to the device but does not need any privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N) to exploit the flaw. The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The underlying weakness corresponds to CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk to data confidentiality if exploited. The fix involves improved validation of permissions within the Shortcuts app to prevent unauthorized file access. This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict access control enforcement in automation tools that can interact with the file system.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality of sensitive data on macOS devices. Organizations using macOS in environments where Shortcuts are employed for automation or productivity could see unauthorized local users or malware leveraging this flaw to access restricted files. This could lead to exposure of intellectual property, personal data, or confidential business information. While the attack requires local access, insider threats or compromised endpoints could exploit this vulnerability to escalate data access beyond intended boundaries. The lack of impact on integrity and availability limits the scope to data leakage rather than system disruption or data manipulation. However, in sectors with strict data protection regulations such as GDPR, any unauthorized data access could result in compliance violations and reputational damage. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for prompt patching.

European organizations should prioritize updating affected macOS devices to the patched versions: Sequoia 15.7.2, Tahoe 26.1, or Sonoma 14.8.2. Until patches are applied, organizations should restrict the creation and execution of shortcuts to trusted users only and disable or limit the use of Shortcuts in sensitive environments. Implement endpoint security controls to monitor and restrict local access, especially for non-administrative users. Employ application whitelisting or macOS’s built-in security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Full Disk Encryption (FileVault) to reduce the risk of unauthorized file access. Conduct user awareness training to highlight risks of running untrusted shortcuts. Regularly audit macOS devices for unusual shortcut activity or unauthorized file access attempts. Finally, integrate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and incident response workflows to ensure rapid detection and remediation.