CVE-2025-43463
📋 TL;DR
A path validation vulnerability in macOS allows applications to bypass directory restrictions and access sensitive user data. This affects macOS Sonoma, Tahoe, and Sequoia versions before the listed security updates. Any user running unpatched macOS versions is potentially 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 →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 application could access sensitive files including passwords, documents, and personal data stored in protected directories.
Likely Case
Malware or compromised legitimate apps could read user data they shouldn't have access to, potentially leading to data theft.
If Mitigated
With proper app sandboxing and user permissions, impact would be limited to data accessible by the user running the vulnerable app.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user to run a malicious application. No public exploit details available at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, macOS Tahoe 26.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3
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
Restrict application installations
allOnly install applications from trusted sources and the Mac App Store
Enable Gatekeeper
allEnsure Gatekeeper is enabled to block unsigned applications
sudo spctl --master-enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to control which applications can run
- Use full disk encryption and strong user account controls to limit data exposure
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > AboutCheck Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version matches or exceeds patched versions: Sonoma 14.8.3+, Tahoe 26.1+, Sequoia 15.7.3+📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns in unified logs
- Applications accessing protected directories
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="macos" AND (event="file_access" OR process="*access*") AND path CONTAINS "/Users/" AND NOT user="current_user"