CVE-2025-43406: 
macOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-43406 is a logic issue in the macOS Sandbox component that allows a locally installed app to access sensitive user data. The vulnerability affects macOS Tahoe versions prior to 26.1 and was fixed in macOS Tahoe 26.1, released November 3, 2025. It was publicly disclosed via Apple's security advisory on November 3, 2025, and added to the NVD on December 12, 2025. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 (Medium) (Apple Advisory, NVD).

The root cause is classified as CWE-497 (Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere), stemming from a logic flaw in macOS Sandbox restrictions that failed to adequately prevent apps from accessing sensitive user data outside their permitted scope. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring low privileges and no user interaction, meaning a malicious app already installed on the system can exploit the flaw without any additional user action. Apple addressed the issue by implementing improved restrictions within the Sandbox component. The vulnerability was discovered and reported by Zhongquan Li (@Guluisacat) (Apple Advisory, NVD).

Successful exploitation allows a malicious app running on macOS Tahoe to bypass sandbox restrictions and access sensitive user data that should be protected. The impact is limited to confidentiality — there is no integrity or availability impact. The scope is confined to the local system, but the exposure of sensitive user data could facilitate privacy violations or serve as a stepping stone for further attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities (Apple Advisory, NVD).

Apple has released a patch in macOS Tahoe 26.1 (released November 3, 2025), which addresses the logic issue with improved Sandbox restrictions. Users and administrators should update all affected macOS Tahoe systems to version 26.1 or later as the primary remediation. No configuration-based workarounds have been published by Apple; upgrading to the patched release is the recommended and only confirmed mitigation (Apple Advisory).

The SANS Internet Storm Center noted the macOS Tahoe 26.1 release in a diary entry covering the broader set of Apple security updates. The CIS (Center for Internet Security) issued an advisory covering multiple vulnerabilities in Apple products patched in this release, including CVE-2025-43406. No significant individual researcher commentary or social media discussion specific to this CVE has been identified beyond standard vulnerability tracking (SANS ISC, CIS Advisory).