CVE-2025-43519: 
macOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-43519 is a permissions issue in Apple macOS affecting the AppleMobileFileIntegrity and SoftwareUpdate components, where an app may be able to access sensitive user data due to incorrect default permissions (CWE-276). It was disclosed and patched on December 12, 2025, affecting macOS Sonoma versions before 14.8.3 and macOS Sequoia versions before 15.7.3; it was subsequently also addressed in macOS Tahoe 26.2. The vulnerability was reported by an anonymous researcher. It carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 (Medium) per NIST NVD, though CISA-ADP assessed it at 7.5 (High) (Apple Sequoia Advisory, Apple Sonoma Advisory, Apple Tahoe Advisory).

The root cause is classified as CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions), meaning certain resources or data paths on macOS were accessible to apps without appropriate access controls enforced by the AppleMobileFileIntegrity and SoftwareUpdate subsystems. Apple addressed the issue by adding additional restrictions to the permissions model. The attack vector is local (requiring a low-privileged app already running on the system), with no user interaction needed. No public proof-of-concept or detailed technical write-up has been published as of the time of this report (Apple Sequoia Advisory, Apple Sonoma Advisory).

Successful exploitation allows a malicious or compromised app running on the affected macOS system to access sensitive user data that should be protected by the operating system's permissions model. The impact is limited to confidentiality — there is no integrity or availability impact. The scope is confined to the local system, but exposure of sensitive user data (such as personal files, credentials, or private information managed by AppleMobileFileIntegrity or SoftwareUpdate) could facilitate further attacks or privacy violations (Apple Sequoia Advisory, Apple Sonoma Advisory).

Apple has released patches addressing CVE-2025-43519 in macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, and macOS Tahoe 26.2, all released on December 12, 2025. Users should update their macOS installations to these versions or later via System Settings > Software Update. No configuration-based workarounds have been published by Apple; upgrading to a patched version is the only recommended remediation (Apple Sequoia Advisory, Apple Sonoma Advisory, Apple Tahoe Advisory).

The CIS (Center for Internet Security) published an advisory noting multiple vulnerabilities in Apple products patched in the December 12, 2025 release cycle, including CVE-2025-43519, flagging the broader update as addressing issues that could allow for arbitrary code execution and sensitive data access (CIS Advisory). No notable individual researcher commentary or significant social media discussion specific to this CVE has been identified beyond routine vulnerability tracking.