CVE-2025-46297 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS related to 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 impact of compromised or malicious apps. This vulnerability stems from a permissions issue that allowed an application running within the sandbox to access protected files that should have been inaccessible. The root cause involves insufficient enforcement of access controls within the sandbox container, permitting unauthorized file reads. The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as launching or interacting with the malicious app. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning an attacker must have local access to the device. The impact is primarily on confidentiality (C:H), as sensitive files could be read without authorization, but integrity and availability remain unaffected (I:N/A:N). Apple addressed this issue in macOS Tahoe 26.2 by implementing additional restrictions to tighten sandbox file access controls. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability represents a risk for data leakage from sandboxed applications, which are commonly used to protect user data and system integrity. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), indicating a failure to properly restrict access to resources. Organizations relying on macOS sandboxing for security should apply the patch promptly to prevent potential exploitation.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-46297 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information due to an app's ability to bypass sandbox restrictions and access protected files. This can lead to breaches of confidentiality, exposing personal, corporate, or system data that was assumed to be isolated. For organizations, this could mean leakage of intellectual property, user credentials, or sensitive configuration files. Since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, it is less likely to cause system corruption or denial of service. However, the breach of confidentiality can facilitate further attacks, such as social engineering or privilege escalation, if sensitive data is exposed. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users may install untrusted software or where insider threats exist. The vulnerability affects all macOS users running versions prior to Tahoe 26.2, impacting enterprises, government agencies, and individual users relying on Apple’s sandboxing for security. Given the widespread use of macOS in certain sectors, the potential for data leakage could have significant privacy and compliance implications.

To mitigate CVE-2025-46297, organizations and users should immediately update all affected macOS systems to version Tahoe 26.2 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application installation policies, limiting software sources to trusted vendors and the Apple App Store to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting sandbox weaknesses. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of monitoring and restricting unauthorized file access attempts within sandboxed environments. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and sandbox configurations to detect anomalies. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and the importance of prompt system updates. For high-security environments, consider additional sandboxing or containerization layers and implement strict access controls on sensitive files to minimize exposure. Monitoring local user activity and employing behavioral analytics can help detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Finally, maintain an incident response plan to quickly address any suspected data breaches resulting from such vulnerabilities.