CVE-2025-43471 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to access sensitive user data due to insufficient access control checks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-497, which relates to the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The issue arises because the operating system failed to enforce adequate validation on app permissions or data access requests, enabling a local application with limited privileges (PR:L) to read sensitive data without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning an attacker must have some level of access to the device, such as through a compromised user account or malicious software installed on the system. The vulnerability does not impact integrity or availability but has a high impact on confidentiality (C:H), as sensitive user data could be exposed. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.1, where Apple implemented improved checks to prevent unauthorized data access. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited active exploitation or recent disclosure. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level due to the local attack vector and required privileges. This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict access control enforcement in operating systems to protect user data from unauthorized local applications.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43471 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. This could include personal information, credentials, or business-critical data stored or accessible on affected systems. Organizations with a significant macOS user base, especially in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data such as finance, healthcare, and government, may face confidentiality breaches leading to compliance violations (e.g., GDPR), reputational damage, and potential financial losses. Since exploitation requires local access and some privileges, the threat is more pronounced in environments where endpoint security is weak or where users may inadvertently install malicious apps. The lack of user interaction requirement increases the risk of stealthy data exfiltration once an attacker gains foothold. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for proactive mitigation. Overall, the vulnerability could undermine trust in macOS security within European enterprises and necessitates urgent patching and monitoring to prevent data leakage.

1. Immediate upgrade to macOS Tahoe 26.1 or later, which contains the fix with improved access checks, is the most effective mitigation. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and endpoint protection to prevent installation or execution of unauthorized or suspicious local applications. 3. Enforce the principle of least privilege by limiting user and application permissions to only those necessary for business functions, reducing the attack surface. 4. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and their permissions on macOS devices to detect anomalies or unauthorized access attempts. 5. Utilize macOS built-in security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and sandboxing to contain app capabilities. 6. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted software and encourage reporting of suspicious behavior. 7. Monitor system logs and use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to identify unusual access patterns to sensitive data. 8. For organizations with managed macOS fleets, deploy patches and configuration changes via Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to ensure rapid and consistent remediation.