CVE-2025-43512 is a logic vulnerability in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems, also affecting macOS variants, that allows an application to elevate its privileges improperly. The root cause is a logic issue in the privilege checking mechanisms, which an attacker-controlled app can exploit to gain higher privileges than intended. This could enable the app to perform unauthorized actions, access sensitive data, or modify system settings, compromising the device’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability requires local access to the device and some user interaction, such as installing or running a malicious app. Apple has fixed this issue in recent updates: iOS 18.7.3, iPadOS 18.7.3, macOS Tahoe 26.2, Sonoma 14.8.3, and Sequoia 15.7.3. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity but requiring user interaction. No public exploits or active exploitation campaigns have been reported yet. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management), indicating a failure in enforcing correct privilege boundaries. Organizations relying on Apple devices should assess their exposure and apply patches promptly to prevent potential exploitation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the security of Apple devices used within corporate environments, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, disruption of business operations, and potential lateral movement within networks if compromised devices are connected to corporate resources. The confidentiality of communications and stored information could be severely impacted, as well as the integrity of critical applications and system configurations. Availability could also be affected if malicious apps leverage elevated privileges to disable security controls or cause system instability. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely heavily on Apple ecosystems for mobile productivity and secure communications are particularly vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers often develop exploits after vulnerability disclosure. Therefore, timely patching is essential to mitigate potential damage.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation strategy: 1) Immediately deploy the official Apple security updates (iOS 18.7.3, iPadOS 18.7.3, macOS Tahoe 26.2, Sonoma 14.8.3, Sequoia 15.7.3) across all managed Apple devices to eliminate the vulnerability. 2) Enforce strict app installation policies using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to restrict installation of untrusted or unauthorized applications, reducing the risk of malicious app deployment. 3) Educate users about the risks of installing apps from unverified sources and the importance of applying updates promptly. 4) Monitor device logs and behavior for signs of privilege escalation attempts or unusual app activity. 5) Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of compromised devices on critical systems. 6) Regularly audit device compliance and patch status to ensure ongoing protection. 7) Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting privilege escalation behaviors on Apple platforms. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling app installation, user awareness, and proactive monitoring tailored to Apple ecosystems.