CVE-2025-43391
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a privacy vulnerability in Apple operating systems where applications could access sensitive user data through improper handling of temporary files. It affects macOS, iOS, and iPadOS users running vulnerable versions. The issue allows unauthorized access to potentially confidential information stored in temporary locations.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
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 exfiltrate sensitive user data including authentication tokens, cached credentials, personal documents, or other private information stored in temporary files.
Likely Case
Applications with legitimate access to temporary directories could inadvertently or intentionally access sensitive data left by other applications, leading to privacy violations.
If Mitigated
With proper sandboxing and application isolation, the impact is limited to data accessible within the application's own sandbox boundaries.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious application to be installed and executed on the target system. The application must have standard permissions to access temporary directories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125632
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Install the available update for your macOS/iOS/iPadOS version. 3. Restart your device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Application Installation
allLimit installation of applications to only trusted sources from the App Store or verified developers.
Regular Temporary File Cleanup
linuxManually clear temporary files and caches to reduce sensitive data exposure.
sudo rm -rf /tmp/*
sudo rm -rf /var/tmp/*
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to restrict which applications can run on affected systems
- Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and restrict application capabilities
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check your macOS/iOS/iPadOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is earlier than the patched versions listed, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_vers (macOS) or Settings > General > About (iOS/iPadOS)Verify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify your version matches or exceeds: macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, iOS 26.1, or iPadOS 26.1.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns in temporary directories
- Applications accessing files outside their expected sandbox boundaries
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound data transfers from applications that shouldn't be transmitting data
SIEM Query:
source="apple_system_logs" AND (event="file_access" AND path="/tmp/*" OR path="/var/tmp/*") AND process NOT IN ("trusted_applications_list")