CVE-2025-43513 is a security vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that involves a permissions issue allowing an application to read sensitive location information without appropriate user consent or authorization. The root cause was a flaw in the permissions enforcement mechanism, which permitted apps to bypass restrictions and access location data that should have been protected. Apple addressed this vulnerability by removing the vulnerable code in macOS Sonoma 14.8.3 and macOS Sequoia 15.7.3 updates. The affected versions prior to these patches are unspecified but include versions before these releases. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and there are no known exploits in the wild, indicating that active exploitation has not been observed. However, the vulnerability poses a significant privacy risk because location data can reveal sensitive user information, including physical whereabouts and movement patterns. The exploitation vector requires the attacker to have an app installed on the target macOS device, but does not require additional user interaction once installed. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where location privacy is critical, such as corporate, governmental, or regulated sectors. The fix involves updating to the patched macOS versions, which removes the vulnerable code and restores proper permission enforcement. Organizations should also review app permissions and installed software to detect any unauthorized or suspicious applications that might exploit this flaw.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-43513 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive location information, which compromises user privacy and can facilitate further targeted attacks such as stalking, profiling, or espionage. For European organizations, especially those in sectors like finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, this vulnerability could lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR due to improper handling of personal data. The breach of location data may also damage organizational reputation and trust. Since macOS devices are widely used in European enterprises and among professionals, the scope of affected systems is considerable. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach alone is significant. The ease of exploitation is moderate since it requires an app to be installed, but no additional user interaction is needed post-installation. This makes it a stealthy vector for attackers who can distribute malicious apps through social engineering or supply chain attacks. The absence of known exploits suggests limited immediate risk, but unpatched systems remain vulnerable to future attacks.

European organizations should immediately update all macOS devices to Sonoma 14.8.3 or Sequoia 15.7.3 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application whitelisting and enforce policies that restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned applications. Conduct thorough audits of installed applications to identify and remove any suspicious or unauthorized software that could exploit this vulnerability. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual access to location services or data exfiltration attempts. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified apps and enforce the use of managed app stores or enterprise app deployment mechanisms. Additionally, review and tighten privacy settings related to location services on macOS devices. For highly sensitive environments, consider disabling location services entirely or using network-level controls to monitor and restrict location data flows. Regularly review compliance with data protection regulations and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving location data breaches.