CVE-2025-5469 is an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability categorized under CWE-427, found in Yandex Messenger for macOS, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.245. The vulnerability arises because the application improperly controls the order in which it searches for executable code or libraries, allowing an attacker with limited privileges and partial authentication to influence this search path. This can lead to Search Order Hijacking, where malicious code placed in a higher-priority location is loaded instead of the legitimate code, potentially leading to privilege escalation, code execution, or data compromise. The CVSS 4.0 score of 7.3 reflects a high severity, with attack vector local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), partial authentication required (AT:P), and privileges required (PR:L). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level with a wide scope, indicating that exploitation could affect multiple components or users. No user interaction is needed, increasing the risk of automated or stealthy exploitation. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild and no patches have been released, the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant threat, especially in environments where Yandex Messenger is used for sensitive communications. The issue specifically affects the Telemost component before version 2.245 on macOS platforms, emphasizing the need for targeted mitigation strategies.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to secure communications, especially in sectors relying on Yandex Messenger for internal or external messaging. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data leakage, or disruption of messaging services, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Organizations handling sensitive or regulated data (e.g., financial, governmental, healthcare) could face compliance violations and reputational damage. The requirement for local access and partial authentication limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, particularly in environments with many users or shared systems. The high scope and impact mean that a successful attack could affect multiple users or systems, potentially enabling lateral movement within networks. Given the geopolitical context, entities in countries with close ties to Yandex or those targeted by advanced persistent threats may be at elevated risk. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense but also underscores the urgency for mitigation before active exploitation emerges.

European organizations should implement strict local access controls to limit the ability of low-privilege users to place or modify files in directories that influence Yandex Messenger's search path. Employ application whitelisting and integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes to executable paths or libraries. Network segmentation can reduce the risk of lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Monitor system logs and application behavior for anomalies indicative of search order hijacking attempts. Since no patches are currently available, consider temporarily restricting or isolating the use of Yandex Messenger on macOS systems in sensitive environments. Educate users about the risks of local privilege escalation and enforce strong authentication policies to reduce the chance of partial authentication exploitation. Once Yandex releases a patch or update addressing this vulnerability, prioritize immediate deployment. Additionally, coordinate with endpoint protection solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.