CVE-2025-43465 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS involving a parsing issue in the handling of directory paths. Specifically, the flaw arises from improper validation of directory path inputs, which can lead to an app bypassing intended directory restrictions and accessing sensitive user data outside its authorized scope. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-22, which concerns improper limitation of pathname to a restricted directory, often leading to directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.1, where Apple addressed the issue by implementing improved path validation mechanisms. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.3, indicating low severity, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N. This means the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality only (C:L) without affecting integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, suggesting limited active threat. The vulnerability could be exploited by a malicious or compromised local application to read sensitive user data that should otherwise be inaccessible, potentially leading to privacy breaches or information leakage. However, the requirement for local access and low privileges limits the attack surface primarily to insider threats or scenarios where an attacker has already gained some foothold on the system. The fix in macOS Tahoe 26.1 involves enhanced validation of directory paths to prevent unauthorized traversal or access. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems to eliminate this vulnerability.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-43465 is primarily related to confidentiality breaches due to unauthorized access to sensitive user data by local applications. While the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the exposure of sensitive information could lead to privacy violations, compliance issues (e.g., GDPR), and potential reputational damage. The requirement for local access and low privileges means that remote exploitation is not feasible, reducing the risk from external attackers. However, insider threats or malware that gains local execution capabilities could exploit this flaw to escalate data access. Organizations with a significant number of macOS endpoints, especially in sectors handling sensitive personal or corporate data such as finance, healthcare, and government, should be vigilant. The low CVSS score reflects the limited scope and complexity of exploitation, but the potential for data leakage still warrants timely remediation. Failure to patch could also increase risk in environments where endpoint security controls are weak or where users frequently install untrusted applications.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to version Tahoe 26.1 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and control policies to prevent unauthorized or untrusted applications from running locally. 3. Enforce endpoint security solutions that monitor for suspicious local activity and privilege escalation attempts. 4. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and user permissions to minimize the risk of malicious apps exploiting local vulnerabilities. 5. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and the importance of maintaining updated systems. 6. Use macOS built-in security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and sandboxing to limit app access to sensitive directories. 7. Monitor logs for unusual file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Integrate vulnerability management processes to track and remediate macOS vulnerabilities promptly. These steps go beyond generic patching by emphasizing proactive endpoint controls and user awareness to reduce the likelihood of exploitation.