CVE-2025-43417 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS related to improper path handling, specifically categorized under CWE-22, which involves improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. This flaw allows a malicious or compromised application to potentially access user-sensitive data by exploiting weaknesses in how file paths are processed and validated. The vulnerability requires local access to the system and user interaction to trigger, but does not require elevated privileges, making it accessible to less privileged users or applications. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, meaning the attack vector is local, attack complexity is low, no privileges are required, user interaction is required, scope is unchanged, and the impact is high on confidentiality but none on integrity or availability. The issue was addressed by Apple with improved path handling logic and is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.8.4. No public exploits or active exploitation in the wild have been reported to date. This vulnerability highlights the risks associated with insufficient validation of file paths that can lead to unauthorized data disclosure, a critical concern for user privacy and data protection on macOS systems.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-43417 is the unauthorized disclosure of user-sensitive data on affected macOS systems. Since the vulnerability allows local applications to access data they should not have permission to read, it poses a significant confidentiality risk. This could lead to exposure of personal information, credentials, or other sensitive files, potentially facilitating further attacks such as identity theft, phishing, or privilege escalation. However, the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, limiting its impact to data confidentiality. Organizations with macOS endpoints, especially those handling sensitive or regulated data, face increased risk of data breaches if this vulnerability is exploited. The requirement for local access and user interaction reduces the likelihood of remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk from insider threats or malicious software delivered via social engineering. Failure to patch could also undermine compliance with data protection regulations. Overall, the vulnerability could erode user trust and cause reputational damage if exploited.

To mitigate CVE-2025-43417, organizations should promptly apply the security update macOS Sonoma 14.8.4 or later, which contains the fix for the path handling issue. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application whitelisting and restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned applications to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious local file access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted applications or files to minimize user interaction-based exploitation. Conduct regular audits of file system permissions and access controls to ensure sensitive data is adequately protected. Additionally, consider deploying macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and sandboxing to limit application capabilities. For environments with high security requirements, implement least privilege principles and network segmentation to contain potential breaches. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups to recover from any data exposure incidents.