CVE-2025-43293
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an input validation vulnerability in macOS that could allow malicious applications to access sensitive user data. The vulnerability affects macOS Sonoma and Sequoia versions before the patched releases. Apple has addressed this with improved input validation in the specified updates.
💻 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 →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
A malicious application could access sensitive user data including personal files, credentials, or other protected information without user consent.
Likely Case
Malicious applications distributed through unofficial channels could exploit this to access limited sensitive data from users who install them.
If Mitigated
With proper application sandboxing and user permission controls, exploitation would be limited to data accessible by the exploited application's permissions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious application to be installed and executed on the target system. No public exploit code has been identified in the references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Sonoma 14.8 or macOS Sequoia 15.7
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125111
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Install available updates for macOS Sonoma 14.8 or macOS Sequoia 15.7. 3. Follow on-screen instructions to complete the update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Application Installation Sources
macOSConfigure macOS to only allow applications from the App Store and identified developers to reduce risk of malicious application installation.
sudo spctl --master-enable
sudo spctl --enable --label "Developer ID"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to restrict which applications can run on affected systems.
- Enforce strict user permission controls and limit application access to sensitive data through macOS privacy settings.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is earlier than Sonoma 14.8 or Sequoia 15.7, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version shows Sonoma 14.8 or Sequoia 15.7 or later in System Settings > General > About.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual application access patterns to sensitive data locations
- Applications requesting excessive permissions
Network Indicators:
- No specific network indicators as this is a local privilege issue
SIEM Query:
source="macos*" AND (event_type="file_access" OR event_type="permission_request") AND sensitive_data_path=*