CVE-2025-43311
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a macOS vulnerability where applications could bypass entitlement checks to access protected user data. It affects macOS Sonoma before version 14.8 and macOS Sequoia before version 15.7. The vulnerability allows unauthorized data access through insufficient permission validation.
💻 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
Malicious applications could access sensitive user data including personal files, keychain items, or other protected resources without user consent.
Likely Case
Applications with limited permissions could escalate privileges to access data they shouldn't have access to, potentially exposing personal information.
If Mitigated
With proper application sandboxing and security controls, the impact would be limited to data accessible within the application's sandbox.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious application to be installed and executed on the target system. The vulnerability involves bypassing entitlement checks rather than remote code execution.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Sonoma 14.8 or later, macOS Sequoia 15.7 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125111
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings 2. Click General 3. Click Software Update 4. Install available updates 5. Follow on-screen instructions to complete installation
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Application Installation
allOnly install applications from trusted sources and the App Store to reduce risk of malicious applications exploiting this vulnerability.
Enable Gatekeeper
macOSEnsure Gatekeeper is enabled to verify applications before they run.
sudo spctl --master-enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to control which applications can run on systems
- Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious application behavior
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is Sonoma before 14.8 or Sequoia before 15.7, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify macOS version is Sonoma 14.8 or later, or Sequoia 15.7 or later.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual application access to protected resources, entitlement check failures in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="macos_system_logs" AND (event="entitlement_violation" OR event="sandbox_violation")