CVE-2025-46291: 
macOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-46291 is a Gatekeeper bypass vulnerability in Apple macOS affecting the LaunchServices component. A logic issue in input validation allows a malicious application to bypass Gatekeeper security checks, which are designed to ensure only trusted software runs on macOS. The vulnerability was discovered by security researcher Kenneth Chew and disclosed by Apple on December 12, 2025, with a fix included in macOS Tahoe 26.2. It carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (High) per NIST NVD, though CISA-ADP assessed it at 5.5 (Medium) reflecting a more constrained impact scope (Apple Advisory, NVD).

The vulnerability is rooted in a logic flaw within the LaunchServices component of macOS, classified as CWE-693 (Protection Mechanism Failure). Gatekeeper is a macOS security feature that enforces code signing and verifies that downloaded software is from an identified developer before allowing execution; the flawed validation logic in LaunchServices can be exploited by a locally-executed application to circumvent these checks. The attack vector is local, requiring low privileges and no user interaction, suggesting a malicious app already present on the system could silently bypass Gatekeeper enforcement. Apple addressed the issue with improved validation logic in macOS Tahoe 26.2 (Apple Advisory, NVD).

Successful exploitation allows a malicious application to bypass Gatekeeper checks, undermining a core macOS defense-in-depth control that prevents unsigned or untrusted code from executing. This could enable an attacker to run unauthorized or malicious software without triggering the expected security warnings or blocks, potentially facilitating malware installation, persistence, or further privilege escalation. The integrity impact is high, as the security boundary protecting users from untrusted executables is effectively nullified; confidentiality and availability impacts are also rated high by NIST, though CISA-ADP's assessment limits the primary impact to integrity (NVD, Apple Advisory).

Apple has released a fix in macOS Tahoe 26.2, released December 12, 2025. Users and administrators should update to macOS Tahoe 26.2 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No configuration-based workarounds have been published by Apple. Organizations should prioritize patching macOS endpoints, particularly those where untrusted or third-party applications may be executed (Apple Advisory).

The CIS (Center for Internet Security) issued an advisory noting multiple vulnerabilities in Apple products patched in this release could allow for arbitrary code execution, recommending prompt updates (CIS Advisory). The vulnerability was also noted in the SANS Internet Storm Center diary covering the December 2025 Apple patch batch (SANS ISC). Community reaction has been limited given the low EPSS score and absence of public exploit code.