CVE-2025-43499 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows a local application to access sensitive user data without proper authorization due to insufficient entitlement checks. Entitlements in macOS are security mechanisms that restrict app capabilities; this flaw allowed apps to bypass these checks and gain unauthorized access to protected data. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions, including Sequoia 15.7.2, Tahoe 26.1, and Sonoma 14.8.2, and was addressed by Apple through additional entitlement validation in iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2, and the mentioned macOS versions. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting that exploitation requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but user interaction (UI:R). The impact is primarily on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating limited active exploitation. The underlying weakness corresponds to CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), highlighting a failure to enforce proper entitlement checks. This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious or compromised apps installed by users to access sensitive data they should not have permission to view. The fix involves Apple’s security update that enforces stricter entitlement verification to prevent unauthorized data access.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a confidentiality risk as unauthorized applications could access sensitive user data on macOS devices. This could lead to exposure of personal information, intellectual property, or other confidential data, potentially resulting in privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and reputational damage. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the threat is more significant in environments where users install untrusted applications or where endpoint security is lax. The lack of impact on integrity or availability limits the scope to data confidentiality breaches. Organizations with macOS endpoints in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and technology are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of data handled. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits post-disclosure. Failure to patch promptly could enable insider threats or malware to leverage this vulnerability for data exfiltration.

European organizations should immediately deploy the Apple security updates that address CVE-2025-43499 across all affected macOS devices, including Sequoia 15.7.2, Tahoe 26.1, and Sonoma 14.8.2. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application control policies, such as using Apple’s notarization requirements and restricting app installations to trusted sources like the Mac App Store. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect and block suspicious app behaviors indicative of entitlement abuse. User education is critical to minimize installation of untrusted applications and to recognize social engineering attempts that could trigger user interaction required for exploitation. Regular audits of installed applications and entitlement usage can help identify anomalous access patterns. Additionally, implementing data loss prevention (DLP) controls on macOS endpoints can help monitor and prevent unauthorized data access or exfiltration. Organizations should also maintain up-to-date inventories of macOS versions in use to ensure timely patch management.