CVE-2025-43522
📋 TL;DR
A code-signing downgrade vulnerability in Intel-based Mac computers allows malicious apps to bypass security restrictions and access sensitive user data. This affects macOS systems before specific security updates. The vulnerability requires local app execution to exploit.
💻 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
Malicious app gains unauthorized access to sensitive user data including passwords, documents, and personal information stored on the system.
Likely Case
Malicious app circumvents code-signing protections to access restricted data or perform unauthorized actions with user-level privileges.
If Mitigated
With proper app vetting and security controls, impact is limited to potential data exposure from already-installed malicious apps.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires user to execute malicious app. No public exploit code available at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Tahoe 26.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/125886
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Install available security updates. 3. Restart computer when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict app installations
allOnly install apps from trusted sources and the Mac App Store
Enable Gatekeeper
allEnsure Gatekeeper is enabled to verify app signatures
sudo spctl --master-enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict user permissions to prevent installation of untrusted applications
- Implement application allowlisting to control which apps can execute
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is earlier than Tahoe 26.2 or Sequoia 15.7.3, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version shows Tahoe 26.2 or Sequoia 15.7.3 or later in System Settings > General > About.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual app execution patterns
- Code-signing verification failures in system logs
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for process execution events from unsigned or improperly signed applications on macOS systems