CVE-2025-43279
📋 TL;DR
This macOS vulnerability allows applications to access sensitive user data that should be redacted in system logs. It affects macOS systems before version 26 (Tahoe). The issue stems from insufficient privacy controls in log entry handling.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
📦 What is this software?
Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Malicious applications could extract sensitive user information like passwords, personal data, or authentication tokens from system logs, leading to data breaches or credential theft.
Likely Case
Applications with legitimate access to system logs could inadvertently or intentionally view sensitive user data that should be protected, violating user privacy.
If Mitigated
With proper application sandboxing and least-privilege access controls, only trusted system components would have log access, limiting exposure.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious or compromised application to be installed and executed on the target system with appropriate permissions to access system logs.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Tahoe 26
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125110
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings 2. Navigate to General > Software Update 3. Install macOS Tahoe 26 update 4. No restart required according to Apple documentation
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict application log access
macOSUse macOS privacy controls to limit which applications can access system logs
Review and adjust Privacy & Security settings in System Settings
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application control policies to prevent unauthorized applications from running
- Regularly audit installed applications and remove unnecessary or untrusted software
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version: if version is earlier than 26, system is vulnerableCheck Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version is 26 or later after applying update📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual log access patterns by non-system applications
- Applications accessing log files they shouldn't need
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
process_name contains "log" AND destination_file contains "/var/log" AND NOT process_name in ("syslogd", "logd", other_trusted_system_processes)