CVE-2025-43420 is a security vulnerability identified in Apple macOS involving a race condition caused by inadequate state handling within the operating system. A race condition occurs when the timing of events allows an attacker to manipulate the system state in an unintended way, potentially bypassing normal security controls. In this case, the flaw could enable a malicious application to access sensitive user data that should otherwise be protected. Apple addressed this vulnerability by improving state management in macOS Sonoma 14.8.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.7.2. The affected versions are unspecified but presumably include all versions prior to these patches. No public exploits have been reported yet, indicating that active exploitation is not currently observed. However, the nature of the vulnerability suggests that an attacker with the ability to run an app on the system could exploit the race condition to gain unauthorized access to confidential information. This could include personal files, credentials, or other sensitive data stored or processed by the user. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality of user data and potentially the integrity if the attacker can manipulate or exfiltrate information. Since exploitation requires running a malicious app, the attack vector involves social engineering or supply chain compromise to get the app installed. The absence of a CVSS score necessitates an assessment based on impact and exploitability factors.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43420 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. This could lead to data breaches involving personal information, intellectual property, or credentials, undermining privacy and compliance with regulations such as GDPR. Organizations relying on macOS for critical operations, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government, may face operational risks and reputational damage if exploited. The vulnerability could also facilitate lateral movement within networks if attackers leverage compromised endpoints to escalate privileges or access additional resources. Given the widespread use of macOS in European corporate environments, especially in countries with high Apple market penetration, the risk is significant. Although no known exploits are currently active, the vulnerability's presence in widely deployed systems means that attackers could develop exploits, increasing the threat over time. Failure to patch promptly could expose organizations to targeted attacks or opportunistic malware leveraging this flaw.

European organizations should immediately prioritize updating all macOS devices to versions 14.8.2 (Sonoma) or 15.7.2 (Sequoia) or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application control policies to prevent installation or execution of untrusted or unsigned apps, reducing the risk of malicious apps exploiting the race condition. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous app behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Conduct user awareness training to reduce the likelihood of social engineering attacks that could lead to malicious app installation. Implement least privilege principles to limit app permissions and access to sensitive data. Regularly audit macOS devices for compliance with security policies and ensure timely deployment of security updates. Network segmentation can also limit the impact of a compromised device. Finally, monitor threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploit code or attack campaigns related to this vulnerability to adjust defenses accordingly.