CVE-2025-43416
📋 TL;DR
A logic vulnerability in macOS allows applications to bypass access restrictions and read protected user data. This affects macOS Tahoe, Sequoia, and Sonoma versions before the patched releases. Users running vulnerable macOS versions are at risk of unauthorized data access by malicious applications.
💻 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 data including passwords, encryption keys, personal documents, and other protected information stored on the system.
Likely Case
Malicious or compromised applications could access user data they shouldn't have permission to read, potentially leading to data theft or privacy violations.
If Mitigated
With proper application sandboxing and security controls, impact would be limited to data accessible within the app's sandbox boundaries.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious application to be installed and executed on the target system. The vulnerability involves logic flaws in access control mechanisms.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Tahoe 26.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125886
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings > General > Software Update
2. Click 'Update Now' if updates are available
3. Follow on-screen instructions to download and install
4. Restart your Mac when prompted
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Application Sandboxing Enforcement
allEnsure all applications run with appropriate sandboxing and only install apps from trusted sources like the Mac App Store
Gatekeeper Settings
allConfigure Gatekeeper to only allow apps from the App Store and identified developers
sudo spctl --master-enable
sudo spctl --enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict application installation to only trusted sources and verified developers
- Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized apps from running
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is earlier than the patched versions listed, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version matches or exceeds: Tahoe 26.2, Sequoia 15.7.3, or Sonoma 14.8.3📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual application access to protected directories
- Security framework denials followed by successful access
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="macos" AND (event_type="file_access" OR event_type="sandbox_violation") AND target_path CONTAINS "/Users/" AND result="allowed"