CVE-2025-46281: 
macOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-46281 is a logic issue in the macOS File Bookmark component that allows a malicious app to break out of its sandbox. It affects Apple macOS versions prior to Tahoe 26.2 and was disclosed by Apple on December 12, 2025, with NVD publication on December 17, 2025. The vulnerability was reported by an anonymous researcher and carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (High) (Apple Advisory, NVD).

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-693 (Protection Mechanism Failure), stemming from a logic flaw in how macOS handles File Bookmark operations that fails to enforce proper sandbox boundaries (NVD). A low-privileged local attacker can exploit this flaw through a malicious application without requiring user interaction, leveraging the File Bookmark API to escape the app sandbox and access files outside its permitted scope (Apple Advisory). The fix was implemented via improved checks in macOS Tahoe 26.2. Note: An earlier Apple advisory description referenced the spellcheck API, but the authoritative NVD and Apple release notes confirm the affected component is File Bookmark (Apple Advisory, NVD).

Successful exploitation allows a sandboxed application to break out of its containment and access files it should not be permitted to reach, resulting in high impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability with a changed scope per the CVSS vector (NVD). An attacker with a low-privileged local account or a malicious app installed on the system could leverage this to read, modify, or corrupt sensitive files outside the sandbox boundary, potentially enabling further privilege escalation or data exfiltration (Apple Advisory).

Apple has addressed this vulnerability in macOS Tahoe 26.2, released December 12, 2025. Users and administrators should update to macOS Tahoe 26.2 or later as the primary remediation. As an interim measure, limiting the installation of untrusted third-party applications and enforcing strict local user privilege controls can reduce exposure (Apple Advisory).

The CIS issued an advisory noting multiple vulnerabilities in Apple products patched in this release cycle, including CVE-2025-46281, recommending prompt updates. Coverage was also noted on SANS ISC and security aggregators such as Tenable and Red Packet Security, though no significant independent researcher commentary specific to this CVE has been published (CIS Advisory, SANS ISC).