CVE-2025-46281 is a logic vulnerability in Apple macOS that enables an application to break out of its sandbox environment. The sandbox is a critical security mechanism designed to isolate applications and limit their access to system resources and user data. This vulnerability arises from insufficient or flawed logic checks within the sandbox enforcement code, allowing a malicious or compromised app to bypass these restrictions. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS and was addressed in the release of macOS Tahoe 26.2 through improved validation and enforcement of sandbox boundaries. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.4 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. Exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with escalated privileges, access sensitive data, or disrupt system operations. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability represents a significant risk due to the fundamental role of sandboxing in macOS security architecture. The underlying weakness is categorized under CWE-693, which relates to protection mechanism failures due to logic errors. This vulnerability underscores the importance of rigorous sandbox enforcement to prevent lateral movement and privilege escalation within macOS environments.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-46281 could be severe. Organizations relying on macOS for critical operations, including government agencies, financial institutions, and technology firms, face risks of data breaches, unauthorized access, and potential disruption of services. The ability for an app to escape its sandbox means attackers could bypass application-level restrictions and gain broader system control, potentially leading to theft of intellectual property, exposure of personal data protected under GDPR, and compromise of internal networks. The high severity and ease of exploitation increase the urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability. Additionally, the lack of required user interaction means attacks could be automated or triggered silently, complicating detection and response efforts. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in macOS security, affecting organizations that depend on Apple devices for secure computing environments.

To mitigate CVE-2025-46281, European organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Immediately plan and deploy the update to macOS Tahoe 26.2 or later, which contains the fix for this vulnerability. 2) Implement application whitelisting and restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned applications to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting the sandbox escape. 3) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous behaviors indicative of sandbox breakout attempts, such as unauthorized access to system resources or privilege escalation patterns. 4) Conduct regular audits of installed software and sandbox configurations to ensure compliance with security policies. 5) Educate users about the risks of installing unknown applications and enforce strict controls on software sources. 6) For organizations with macOS device management, enforce configuration profiles that limit app permissions and sandbox capabilities where feasible. 7) Monitor security advisories from Apple and threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploit activity related to this vulnerability.