CVE-2025-46297 is a security vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that concerns the App Sandbox security mechanism. The App Sandbox is designed to isolate applications and restrict their access to system resources and user data, thereby limiting the potential damage from compromised or malicious apps. This vulnerability stems from a permissions issue that allowed an application running within its sandbox container to access protected files that should have been inaccessible under normal sandbox restrictions. The root cause is insufficient enforcement of access controls within the sandbox environment, permitting unauthorized file access. Apple addressed this issue by implementing additional restrictions in macOS Tahoe 26.2, which enforces stricter file access policies to prevent apps from escaping their sandbox boundaries. The vulnerability was reserved in April 2025 and published in January 2026, with no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date. The affected versions are unspecified, but it is implied that all macOS versions prior to Tahoe 26.2 are vulnerable. This flaw could be exploited by malicious or compromised applications to access sensitive files within the sandbox, potentially leading to data leakage or unauthorized information disclosure. Since the vulnerability does not require user interaction or authentication, it poses a significant risk if exploited. However, the lack of known exploits suggests that active exploitation is not yet widespread. The absence of a CVSS score necessitates an assessment based on the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, ease of exploitation, and scope of affected systems.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a considerable risk to the confidentiality of sensitive data stored on macOS devices. Organizations that rely on sandboxed applications for secure processing or data isolation may find that this flaw undermines those protections, potentially exposing protected files to unauthorized access by malicious apps. This could lead to data breaches involving intellectual property, personal data, or other sensitive information, resulting in regulatory compliance issues under GDPR and reputational damage. The integrity and availability impacts are less direct but could arise if attackers leverage the access to modify or delete critical files. Since macOS is widely used in certain sectors such as creative industries, software development, and executive environments, organizations in these fields may be particularly vulnerable. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability details are public. The impact is heightened in environments where endpoint security relies heavily on sandboxing as a containment strategy.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading all macOS devices to macOS Tahoe 26.2 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. IT and security teams should audit and restrict app permissions rigorously, ensuring that only trusted applications are installed and run within sandbox environments. Employing application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can help detect anomalous app behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their data protection policies to minimize sensitive data exposure on endpoint devices and consider additional encryption or access controls for critical files. Regularly monitoring system logs and sandbox access patterns can provide early warning signs of attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Security awareness training should emphasize the risks of installing untrusted applications. Finally, maintaining a robust patch management process will help ensure timely deployment of security updates.