CVE-2025-43471 is a security vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that permits an application to access sensitive user data improperly. The root cause stems from insufficient or flawed access control checks within the operating system, allowing malicious or compromised apps to bypass normal data protection mechanisms. The vulnerability was reserved in April 2025 and publicly disclosed in December 2025. Apple addressed the issue in macOS Tahoe 26.1 by implementing improved verification and access control checks to prevent unauthorized data access. The affected macOS versions are unspecified, but the vulnerability exists in versions prior to the patch release. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, indicating either limited exposure or that exploitation is non-trivial. However, the potential impact is significant because sensitive user data could be exposed to unauthorized applications, compromising confidentiality and user privacy. The lack of a CVSS score requires an assessment based on the nature of the vulnerability: it does not require user interaction or authentication, affects core OS controls, and could impact a broad range of users running vulnerable macOS versions. This elevates the threat to a high severity level. The vulnerability underscores the importance of strict access control enforcement in modern operating systems and the risks posed by malicious or vulnerable applications with elevated privileges or insufficient sandboxing.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43471 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data, which can include personal information, credentials, or corporate data stored or accessed on macOS devices. This can lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), reputational damage, and potential financial losses. Organizations relying on macOS for endpoint computing, especially in sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and government, face increased risk. The vulnerability could facilitate insider threats or external attackers who manage to deploy malicious apps within the environment. Additionally, the breach of confidentiality could cascade into further attacks, such as identity theft or targeted phishing campaigns. The absence of known exploits suggests a window of opportunity for proactive defense, but also the need for vigilance as attackers may develop exploits. The impact on availability and integrity is limited, as the vulnerability primarily concerns unauthorized data access rather than system disruption or data modification.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to version Tahoe 26.1 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned applications to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. 3. Review and tighten macOS privacy and security settings, including permissions granted to applications for accessing sensitive data such as contacts, calendars, and files. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual app behavior or unauthorized data access attempts. 5. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and their access privileges, removing or restricting apps that do not require sensitive data access. 6. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and encourage adherence to organizational security policies. 7. Monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploits related to CVE-2025-43471 to enable rapid response. 8. For organizations with mobile device management (MDM), enforce policies that ensure devices remain updated and compliant with security baselines.