CVE-2025-46291 is a logic flaw in the Gatekeeper component of Apple macOS, which is responsible for enforcing application security policies by validating app signatures and developer credentials before allowing execution. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation logic, permitting an application to bypass these Gatekeeper checks. This bypass means that malicious or untrusted applications could run on affected macOS systems without triggering the usual security warnings or restrictions. The issue was resolved in macOS Tahoe 26.2 by implementing enhanced validation procedures to close the logic gap. Although the specific affected macOS versions are not detailed, the vulnerability impacts the integrity of the Gatekeeper mechanism, a critical security control in macOS. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, but the potential for exploitation exists given the nature of the flaw. This vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to deploy malware or unauthorized software, compromising system security. The lack of a CVSS score necessitates an assessment based on the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, ease of exploitation, and scope of affected systems. Since Gatekeeper is a fundamental security feature, bypassing it can lead to significant security breaches without requiring user interaction or authentication, elevating the threat level.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a considerable risk, particularly for those relying on macOS devices for sensitive operations or intellectual property management. The ability to bypass Gatekeeper checks undermines the trust model of macOS application execution, potentially allowing malware or unauthorized software to run undetected. This can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and persistence of malicious code within corporate environments. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where macOS adoption is notable, could face increased exposure to targeted attacks exploiting this flaw. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the risk of future exploitation remains high. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate supply chain attacks if malicious apps are distributed through trusted channels. The overall impact includes potential loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems and data, with possible regulatory and reputational consequences under European data protection laws.

European organizations should immediately verify their macOS versions and prioritize upgrading to macOS Tahoe 26.2 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, implementing application whitelisting and restricting software installation privileges can reduce risk. Monitoring system logs and Gatekeeper events for anomalies may help detect attempts to bypass security checks. Organizations should also educate users about the risks of installing software from untrusted sources and enforce policies that limit software installation to vetted applications. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions tailored for macOS can provide additional layers of defense by identifying suspicious behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. Regularly reviewing and updating security policies to incorporate macOS-specific threat vectors will enhance resilience. Finally, maintaining up-to-date backups and incident response plans will mitigate potential damage from successful exploitation.