CVE-2025-43523 is a permissions-related vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application to access sensitive user data improperly. The root cause is a permissions misconfiguration or insufficient restrictions on app access to protected data, categorized under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The vulnerability requires local access (Attack Vector: Local) and user interaction (UI Required), but no privileges or authentication (Privileges Required: None). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating medium severity, with a high impact on confidentiality but no impact on integrity or availability. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the patched releases macOS Tahoe 26.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, where Apple implemented additional restrictions to tighten permissions. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported to date. The vulnerability could be exploited by a malicious or compromised app to read sensitive user data without proper authorization, potentially leading to privacy breaches or data leakage. The requirement for user interaction and local access somewhat limits exploitation scope but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users may install untrusted software or be targeted by social engineering. The technical fix involves enhanced permission checks and restrictions on app data access, reducing the attack surface for unauthorized data exposure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS systems. Organizations with employees using affected macOS versions may experience confidentiality breaches if malicious or compromised applications exploit this flaw. This could lead to exposure of personal data, intellectual property, or other sensitive information, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The impact is particularly relevant for sectors handling sensitive or regulated data, such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. While the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the loss of confidentiality can damage organizational reputation and result in regulatory penalties. The requirement for local access and user interaction reduces the likelihood of widespread remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threats or risks from social engineering. Organizations relying heavily on macOS endpoints should consider this vulnerability a moderate risk that warrants timely remediation to maintain compliance and data security.

1. Immediately apply the security updates provided by Apple in macOS Tahoe 26.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.7.3 to all affected systems. 2. Enforce strict application control policies to limit installation and execution of untrusted or unauthorized applications, reducing the risk of malicious apps exploiting the vulnerability. 3. Educate users about the risks of installing unknown software and the importance of cautious interaction with app permission requests. 4. Utilize endpoint protection solutions capable of monitoring and restricting app access to sensitive data and detecting anomalous behavior. 5. Regularly audit and review app permissions on macOS devices to ensure only necessary access is granted. 6. Implement network segmentation and least privilege principles to limit the impact of any compromised endpoint. 7. Monitor logs and alerts for suspicious local activity that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. 8. Maintain an up-to-date asset inventory to quickly identify and remediate vulnerable macOS systems within the organization.