CVE-2025-43414
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a permissions bypass vulnerability in macOS Shortcuts that allows shortcuts to access files normally restricted from the Shortcuts app. It affects macOS users running vulnerable versions who use or could be tricked into running malicious shortcuts. The issue has been patched in recent macOS updates.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS Shortcuts
📦 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
An attacker could create a malicious shortcut that accesses sensitive files (documents, credentials, private data) and exfiltrates them, leading to data breach or privilege escalation.
Likely Case
Malicious shortcuts distributed through social engineering could access user documents, photos, or other personal files without proper authorization.
If Mitigated
With proper user education about shortcut sources and file permissions, impact is limited to accessing only files the user already has some access to.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user to run a malicious shortcut, typically through social engineering. No public exploit code has been identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2
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
Disable Shortcuts Execution
macosPrevent shortcuts from running by disabling the Shortcuts app or restricting its permissions
Not applicable - use System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders to restrict Shortcuts access
User Education
allTrain users to only run shortcuts from trusted sources and verify shortcut actions before execution
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict Shortcuts app file access permissions in System Settings > Privacy & Security
- Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized shortcut execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is earlier than patched versions listed above, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version matches or exceeds patched versions: Sequoia 15.7.2, Tahoe 26.1, or Sonoma 14.8.2📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Shortcuts app accessing unexpected file paths
- File access events from Shortcuts process to sensitive directories
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections following shortcut execution
SIEM Query:
process:shortcuts AND file_access:* AND NOT file_access:/Users/*/Library/Application\ Support/com.apple.shortcuts/*