CVE-2025-43472 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS identified as a validation issue related to input sanitization, categorized under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation). This flaw allows a local application with limited privileges to escalate its rights to root level, effectively gaining full control over the system. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, and macOS Sonoma 14.8.2. The root cause is insufficient validation of inputs, which an attacker can exploit to bypass security checks and elevate privileges. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high-severity issue with the following vector: Attack Vector: Local (L), Attack Complexity: Low (L), Privileges Required: Low (L), User Interaction: None (N), Scope: Unchanged (U), and high impact on Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (all High). No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the potential for exploitation exists given the low complexity and no user interaction required. The vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious local users or malware to gain root access, leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or disruption of services. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved input sanitization in the specified macOS updates. Organizations running affected macOS versions should prioritize patching to mitigate risk.

The impact of CVE-2025-43472 on European organizations can be significant, especially for those relying on macOS systems in sensitive environments such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. Successful exploitation grants an attacker root privileges, enabling full control over the affected system. This can lead to unauthorized access to confidential data, modification or deletion of critical files, installation of persistent malware, and disruption of system availability. Since the attack requires only local access and low privileges, insider threats or malware that gains initial foothold could escalate privileges rapidly. The lack of user interaction needed increases the risk of automated exploitation once a local foothold is established. For organizations with macOS endpoints, this vulnerability could undermine endpoint security, facilitate lateral movement, and compromise network integrity. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive patching and mitigation before widespread attacks occur.

To mitigate CVE-2025-43472, European organizations should immediately deploy the security updates released by Apple for macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, Tahoe 26.1, and Sonoma 14.8.2. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict controls on local application installation and execution privileges to limit the ability of untrusted apps to run. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting privilege escalation attempts and anomalous local behavior. Conduct regular audits of local user accounts and permissions to minimize unnecessary privileges. Employ application whitelisting to restrict execution to trusted software only. Monitor system logs for signs of suspicious activity indicative of exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of installing unauthorized software and maintain robust incident response plans to quickly address potential compromises. For environments with high security requirements, consider deploying macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Endpoint Security Framework to further harden systems.