CVE-2025-43480 is a critical vulnerability identified in Apple Safari and related Apple operating systems that allows cross-origin data exfiltration by malicious websites. The root cause is an inadequate enforcement of the same-origin policy, a fundamental web security mechanism designed to prevent websites from accessing data belonging to other origins. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-942 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command), indicating that the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize cross-origin data access requests. A malicious actor can craft a website that, when visited by a user, exploits this flaw to read sensitive data from other websites or browser contexts open in the same Safari instance. The vulnerability affects all Apple platforms running Safari versions prior to 26.1, including iOS, macOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 reflects a network attack vector with low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction (visiting the malicious site). The impact includes high confidentiality and integrity loss, as attackers can steal sensitive user data or manipulate content. Apple has released patches in Safari 26.1 and corresponding OS updates that implement improved cross-origin data access checks to mitigate this issue. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant threat to user privacy and data security.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to data confidentiality and integrity, particularly for those relying on Apple devices and Safari browsers for sensitive communications, web applications, or internal portals. Attackers exploiting this flaw could exfiltrate credentials, session tokens, personal data, or corporate information by tricking users into visiting malicious websites. This could lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to corporate resources, and compromise of user accounts. The impact is heightened in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, where sensitive data protection is paramount. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate further attacks like account takeover or espionage. Given the widespread use of Apple products in Europe, unpatched systems could become entry points for attackers targeting European entities. The lack of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive patching and mitigation before active exploitation occurs.

European organizations should immediately deploy the Safari 26.1 update and corresponding OS patches (iOS, macOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, visionOS 26.1) to all Apple devices. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict web content filtering to block access to known malicious domains and employ DNS filtering to reduce exposure to malicious websites. Enforce the use of secure browser configurations, disable or limit JavaScript execution where feasible, and educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites. Network monitoring tools should be configured to detect unusual outbound traffic patterns indicative of data exfiltration. For high-risk environments, consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying browser-based attacks. Regularly audit and update security policies to include timely patch management and user awareness training focused on social engineering and phishing tactics that could lead to exploitation.