CVE-2025-43514 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS identified by the Common Weakness Enumeration CWE-200, which relates to information exposure. The root cause is improper handling of caches within the operating system, which can allow an application to access protected user data that should normally be inaccessible. This vulnerability does not require user interaction, but it does require the attacker to have local access with limited privileges (PR:L). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must already have some level of access to the system, such as through a compromised account or malware running on the device. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (C:H) but does not affect integrity or availability. The issue was addressed by Apple in macOS Tahoe 26.2 through improved cache management, preventing unauthorized data access. No specific affected versions were detailed, but it is implied that versions prior to 26.2 are vulnerable. There are no known exploits in the wild, indicating that the vulnerability has not yet been actively leveraged by attackers. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, categorizing it as medium severity, reflecting moderate impact and attack complexity. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where macOS devices are used and where local access by untrusted applications or users is possible.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43514 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of protected user data on macOS devices. This could lead to leakage of sensitive personal or corporate information, violating data protection regulations such as GDPR. Confidentiality breaches can damage organizational reputation, result in regulatory fines, and facilitate further attacks if sensitive credentials or intellectual property are exposed. Since exploitation requires local access with limited privileges, the threat is heightened in environments where endpoint security is weak or where insider threats exist. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS laptops are at risk if devices are lost, stolen, or compromised by malware. The lack of impact on integrity and availability limits the scope to data exposure rather than system disruption. However, the medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivial, it is not easily exploitable remotely or without some level of access, somewhat reducing its overall risk profile.

To mitigate CVE-2025-43514, European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to version Tahoe 26.2 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Implement strict endpoint security controls to limit local access to trusted users and applications only. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing to prevent untrusted apps from running or accessing sensitive data. Use full disk encryption and strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of unauthorized local access. Regularly audit installed applications and user privileges to detect and remove potentially malicious or unnecessary software. Educate users on the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of reporting suspicious activity. Additionally, monitor macOS devices for unusual local access patterns or attempts to access protected data. Organizations should also maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly address any data exposure incidents.