CVE-2025-43497
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a sandbox escape vulnerability in macOS where an application can bypass its security restrictions. It affects macOS systems running versions before Tahoe 26.1. The vulnerability allows malicious apps to access resources outside their designated sandbox environment.
💻 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
A malicious app could gain unauthorized access to sensitive system files, user data, or other applications, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Likely Case
Malicious apps could access user documents, keychain data, or other protected resources they shouldn't have access to.
If Mitigated
With proper app vetting and security controls, the risk is limited to untrusted applications that manage to bypass macOS security checks.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious application to be installed and executed on the target system. No public exploit code is currently available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 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 macOS Tahoe 26.1 update 5. Restart when prompted
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict application installation
allOnly allow installation of applications from the App Store and identified developers
sudo spctl --master-enable
sudo spctl --enable
Use application allowlisting
allImplement application control policies to restrict which applications can run
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application control policies to limit which applications can run
- Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for sandbox escape attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is earlier than Tahoe 26.1, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version is Tahoe 26.1 or later in System Settings > General > About.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual process spawning from sandboxed applications
- Access violations in sandbox logs
- Unexpected file access patterns from applications
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network connections from sandboxed applications
SIEM Query:
process where parent_process_name contains "sandbox" and process_name not in (expected_sandboxed_apps)