CVE-2025-43455 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple visionOS and other Apple operating systems including watchOS, iOS, and iPadOS prior to version 26.1. The flaw allows a malicious application to take screenshots of sensitive information displayed within embedded views without proper user authorization or consent. Embedded views are UI components that display content from other apps or system services within an app’s interface. The vulnerability arises from insufficient permission checks that fail to prevent unauthorized screen capture in these embedded contexts. Apple addressed this issue by implementing improved permission verification mechanisms in the 26.1 updates across visionOS, watchOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant privacy risk because it can lead to unauthorized disclosure of confidential or sensitive information such as personal data, authentication tokens, or proprietary content. The attack vector requires the installation of a malicious app on the target device, which could be distributed via sideloading or potentially through the App Store if it bypasses review processes. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond app installation but does rely on the app having the capability to render embedded views containing sensitive data. This issue highlights the challenges of securing complex UI components in modern operating systems and the importance of strict permission enforcement for screen capture functionalities. Organizations using Apple devices, especially those leveraging visionOS for augmented or mixed reality applications, should be aware of this vulnerability and apply the necessary patches promptly to mitigate risks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-43455 centers on potential breaches of confidentiality. Sensitive information displayed in embedded views—such as personal data, business-critical information, or regulated data—could be captured by malicious apps without user consent. This could lead to data leakage incidents, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), reputational damage, and potential financial losses. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology firms that rely on Apple devices for secure communications or augmented reality applications are particularly at risk. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in Apple’s ecosystem for privacy-sensitive applications. Since the exploit requires malicious app installation, organizations with less stringent app vetting or BYOD policies may face higher exposure. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability details become widely known. The cross-platform nature of the vulnerability (affecting visionOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS) increases the scope of affected devices within organizations, complicating patch management and risk mitigation efforts.

1. Immediately deploy Apple’s security updates version 26.1 or later for visionOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS across all organizational devices. 2. Enforce strict app installation policies, including restricting sideloading and using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions and monitor installed applications. 3. Conduct thorough app vetting and review processes to detect potentially malicious apps that could exploit screen capture capabilities. 4. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of applying OS updates promptly. 5. Audit applications that use embedded views to ensure they do not expose sensitive information unnecessarily and implement additional in-app protections such as obfuscation or dynamic content masking. 6. Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual screen capture or data exfiltration activities. 7. Collaborate with Apple support channels for guidance and incident response if suspicious activity is detected. 8. Review and update privacy policies and compliance documentation to reflect mitigation efforts related to this vulnerability.