CVE-2025-43314
📋 TL;DR
A path validation vulnerability in macOS allows applications to bypass directory restrictions and access sensitive user data. This affects macOS systems before Sonoma 14.8 and Sequoia 15.7. The issue involves improper parsing of directory paths that could lead to unauthorized data access.
💻 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 app could access sensitive user files, credentials, or personal data stored in protected directories.
Likely Case
Malware or compromised applications could exfiltrate user documents, browser data, or configuration files.
If Mitigated
With proper app sandboxing and user permission controls, impact would be limited to data accessible by the app's permissions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires creating or modifying an app to leverage the path parsing issue. No public exploit code has been disclosed in the referenced advisories.
🛠️ 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 Sequoia 15.7. 3. Verify installation completes successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Installation Sources
macOSOnly allow app installations from App Store and identified developers to reduce risk of malicious apps.
System Settings > Privacy & Security > Security > Allow apps downloaded from: App Store and identified developers
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to control which apps can run on systems
- Use macOS privacy controls to restrict app access to sensitive directories like Documents, Desktop, and Downloads
🔍 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, 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 file access patterns by applications
- Console logs showing path traversal attempts
- Security logs with denied file access events
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound data transfers from applications
- DNS requests to suspicious domains following file access
SIEM Query:
source="macos" (event_type="file_access" AND path="*../*") OR (process_name="*app" AND file_access="sensitive_locations")