CVE-2025-43481 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application to escape its sandbox, a security mechanism designed to isolate apps and restrict their access to system resources and user data. The sandbox escape occurs due to insufficient enforcement of access controls, categorized under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). This flaw enables an app with limited privileges (requiring low privileges but some level of authorization) to elevate its capabilities beyond the sandbox restrictions, potentially accessing or modifying data and system components that should be off-limits. The vulnerability does not require user interaction to be exploited, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.2 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), the attack complexity is low (AC:L), privileges required are low (PR:L), no user interaction is needed (UI:N), and the scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is limited but present, while availability is not affected. Apple addressed this issue in macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 and Tahoe 26.1 by implementing improved sandbox checks to prevent unauthorized sandbox escapes. No public exploits or active exploitation campaigns have been reported, but the vulnerability poses a risk for privilege escalation and unauthorized data access if left unpatched.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential integrity violations on macOS systems, especially in environments where apps run with sandbox restrictions to protect critical data. The ability for an app to break out of its sandbox could allow attackers or malicious insiders to bypass security controls, access confidential data, or manipulate system settings, undermining trust in endpoint security. While the impact is medium severity and does not affect availability, the confidentiality and integrity risks are significant for sectors handling sensitive or regulated data such as finance, healthcare, and government. Organizations relying heavily on macOS devices for business operations or development environments are particularly at risk. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation. Failure to patch could also increase exposure to insider threats or malware that leverages this vulnerability for lateral movement or privilege escalation.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to at least Sequoia 15.7.2 or Tahoe 26.1 to apply the security fix. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application whitelisting and sandboxing policies to limit the installation and execution of untrusted or unnecessary applications. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous behavior indicative of sandbox escapes or privilege escalation attempts. Regularly audit and minimize user privileges to reduce the risk posed by low-privilege apps. Implement network segmentation to contain potential breaches originating from compromised macOS endpoints. Additionally, conduct security awareness training focused on the risks of installing unauthorized software and the importance of timely updates. For critical systems, consider using macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Full Disk Encryption to further reduce attack surface and data exposure.