CVE-2025-43378
📋 TL;DR
A permissions vulnerability in macOS allows applications to access sensitive user data they shouldn't have permission to view. This affects macOS systems running versions before the security updates. Users with unpatched macOS installations are vulnerable to data exposure.
💻 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 access and exfiltrate sensitive user data including personal files, credentials, or private information stored on the system.
Likely Case
Legitimate but poorly secured applications could inadvertently access user data they don't need, potentially exposing it through logging or other mechanisms.
If Mitigated
With proper application sandboxing and user permission controls, the impact is limited to applications that have already been granted some level of system access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to install or run a malicious application. No public exploit code has been disclosed as of the advisory.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 or macOS Tahoe 26.1
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125634
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings 2. Click General 3. Click Software Update 4. Install available updates 5. Restart when prompted
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Application Sandboxing Enforcement
allEnable and enforce strict application sandboxing policies to limit application access to user data
Application Source Control
allOnly install applications from trusted sources like the Mac App Store or verified developers
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized applications from running
- Use endpoint protection software with behavioral analysis to detect suspicious data access patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is earlier than Sequoia 15.7.2 or Tahoe 26.1, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version is Sequoia 15.7.2 or Tahoe 26.1 or later in System Settings > General > About.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns by applications
- Applications requesting permissions they shouldn't need
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound data transfers from applications that shouldn't be sending data
SIEM Query:
source="macos" AND (event_type="file_access" OR event_type="permission_request") AND application NOT IN (allowed_applications_list)