CVE-2025-43530 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms that allows an application with limited privileges to access sensitive user data improperly. The root cause is insufficient enforcement of access control checks within the operating system, classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) but does require local privileges (PR:L), meaning an attacker must have some level of access to the device, such as through a malicious app installed on the device. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the moderate ease of exploitation and significant confidentiality impact (C:H), with no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). Apple has addressed this issue in recent updates: iOS 18.7.3, iPadOS 18.7.3, and macOS versions Tahoe 26.2, Sonoma 14.8.3, and Sequoia 15.7.3. The fix involves improved access control checks to prevent unauthorized data access. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to these patches, so all devices running older versions are potentially vulnerable. This flaw could allow malicious apps to extract sensitive information such as personal identifiers, credentials stored in the device, or other private user data, posing a privacy risk. Given the widespread use of Apple mobile devices in enterprise and government sectors, this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on iOS/iPadOS devices for secure communications and data handling.

For European organizations, the impact centers on potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data from compromised or malicious applications installed on iOS or iPadOS devices. This could lead to privacy violations, data breaches, and exposure of confidential corporate or personal information. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely heavily on Apple devices for secure communications and data management are particularly at risk. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so it is less likely to cause service disruptions or data manipulation. However, the confidentiality breach could facilitate further attacks such as social engineering, identity theft, or espionage. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face increased risk due to less control over app installations. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability details are public. Failure to patch promptly could result in targeted attacks against high-value users or executives within European companies.

1. Immediately deploy the Apple security updates iOS 18.7.3, iPadOS 18.7.3, and the corresponding macOS patches (Tahoe 26.2, Sonoma 14.8.3, Sequoia 15.7.3) across all managed devices. 2. Enforce strict app installation policies, limiting installations to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions. 3. Monitor device behavior for unusual access patterns or data exfiltration attempts, leveraging endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools compatible with iOS/iPadOS. 4. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and encourage reporting of suspicious app behavior. 5. Review and tighten access controls and permissions granted to installed applications, minimizing privileges to the least necessary. 6. For organizations with BYOD policies, consider implementing containerization or secure workspace solutions to isolate corporate data. 7. Maintain an inventory of Apple devices and their OS versions to ensure timely patch management. 8. Coordinate with Apple support and security advisories for any emerging exploit information or additional mitigations.