CVE-2025-43482 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows a local application to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition by exploiting improper input validation mechanisms. The root cause is classified under CWE-20, indicating insufficient input validation, which can lead to unexpected behavior when malformed or malicious inputs are processed. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: macOS Tahoe 26.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, and macOS Sonoma 14.8.3. The attack vector requires local access with low privileges (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and low privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction (UI:N) is needed. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component. The vulnerability impacts availability (A:H) but does not affect confidentiality or integrity. This means an attacker can cause the system or a critical service to become unavailable, potentially disrupting operations. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the presence of the vulnerability necessitates timely patching. The fix implemented by Apple involves improved input validation to prevent malformed inputs from triggering the DoS condition. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where macOS is used extensively, including enterprise and creative industries. The lack of user interaction requirement means that once an attacker has local access, exploitation can be automated or triggered without further user involvement.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43482 is the potential disruption of services due to denial-of-service conditions on macOS systems. This can affect availability of critical applications, especially in sectors relying heavily on macOS platforms such as creative industries, software development, and certain administrative functions. Although the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, service outages can lead to operational downtime, loss of productivity, and potential financial losses. Organizations with macOS-based infrastructure or employee devices are at risk if unpatched systems are exploited by malicious insiders or attackers who gain local access. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the ease of exploitation with low privileges and no user interaction means the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or insider threat scenarios. European entities with remote or hybrid work models may face increased exposure if endpoint security controls are insufficient. Additionally, denial-of-service incidents could impact compliance with service level agreements and regulatory requirements related to system availability.

To mitigate CVE-2025-43482, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Deploy the official Apple patches promptly by upgrading to macOS Tahoe 26.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, or macOS Sonoma 14.8.3 or later versions to ensure the vulnerability is remediated. 2) Enforce strict application control policies to limit installation and execution of untrusted or unsigned applications, reducing the risk of local exploitation. 3) Implement robust endpoint security solutions that monitor for anomalous application behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 4) Restrict local user privileges to the minimum necessary, preventing unnecessary app installations or execution rights. 5) Conduct regular audits of macOS systems to identify unpatched devices and ensure compliance with update policies. 6) Educate users about the risks of installing unauthorized software and the importance of reporting unusual system behavior. 7) Consider network segmentation and endpoint isolation strategies to limit the impact of potential DoS conditions on critical systems. 8) Maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect early signs of exploitation attempts or denial-of-service events. These measures, combined with timely patching, will significantly reduce the risk posed by this vulnerability.