CVE-2025-43252: Apple macOS Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2025-43252 Overview

CVE-2025-43252 is a symlink-related information disclosure vulnerability in Apple macOS. A website can access sensitive user data when resolving symbolic links, exposing files the user did not intend to share. Apple addressed the issue in macOS Sequoia 15.6 by adding an additional prompt for user consent before symlink resolution proceeds. The flaw is classified under CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access and requires user interaction to trigger. Apple published the fix in its official security advisory alongside other macOS Sequoia 15.6 updates.

Critical Impact
A malicious website can read sensitive user files by tricking macOS into resolving attacker-controlled symlinks, leading to confidentiality loss without any privilege requirements.

Affected Products

Apple macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.6
macOS platforms handling website-initiated file operations
Safari and WebKit-based browsers relying on macOS symlink handling

Discovery Timeline

2025-07-30 - CVE-2025-43252 published to NVD
2025-07-30 - Apple releases macOS Sequoia 15.6 with the fix
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-43252

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in how macOS resolves symbolic links during website-initiated file access operations. When a user interacts with a website that requests file access, macOS follows symlinks without prompting the user to confirm access to the ultimate resolved target. An attacker crafts a directory or archive containing symlinks that point to sensitive locations on the user's filesystem. When the browser or web application resolves these links, macOS returns the contents of the target files rather than the symlink itself. This exposes files the user never intended to grant access to, such as configuration files, credentials, or personal documents.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper link resolution before file access [CWE-59]. macOS did not distinguish between the file the user selected and the ultimate target of any symlink in that path. The consent model assumed the selected path represented the actual data to be shared. The patch introduces an additional user consent prompt when symlink resolution would cross into files outside the originally authorized scope.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network delivery and user interaction. An attacker hosts a malicious website that convinces the user to select or upload a directory containing crafted symlinks. Once the user grants access to that directory, symlink resolution silently exposes referenced files. The attack vector is network-based, complexity is low, and no privileges are required, but the user must perform a file selection or drag-and-drop action for the exploit to succeed. See the Full Disclosure mailing list post for reported context.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. The vulnerability mechanism involves standard symlink following behavior in web-exposed file APIs, as described in Apple's security advisory for macOS Sequoia 15.6.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43252

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected browser or WebKit process reads of sensitive files outside user Downloads or Documents directories
File access telemetry showing symlink traversal originating from a browser-controlled temporary directory
Outbound HTTPS uploads containing content from files the user did not explicitly select

Detection Strategies

Monitor for browser processes performing readlink or open operations against files outside expected sandbox paths
Alert on symlink creation inside browser-managed staging directories followed by immediate read operations
Correlate website visits with subsequent access to .ssh, .aws, or keychain-related file paths

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable macOS Unified Logging for com.apple.security and file access subsystems
Track browser file-picker and drag-and-drop events against baseline user behavior
Review endpoint detection telemetry for anomalous file reads following web browsing sessions

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43252

Immediate Actions Required

Update all macOS systems to Sequoia 15.6 or later using Software Update
Verify browser and WebKit components are current with the OS patch level
Audit endpoints running unsupported macOS versions and prioritize their upgrade

Patch Information

Apple released the fix in macOS Sequoia 15.6. The patch adds an additional user consent prompt when symlink resolution could expose files outside the originally authorized scope. Administrators should deploy the update through MDM or Software Update. Refer to the Apple Support advisory for the complete list of addressed issues.

Workarounds

Avoid uploading or selecting directories from untrusted sources in web browsers until systems are patched
Restrict browser file access permissions through MDM configuration profiles
Educate users to decline file access prompts on unfamiliar websites

bash

# Verify macOS version is patched
sw_vers -productVersion
# Expected output: 15.6 or higher

# Force Software Update check via MDM or terminal
sudo softwareupdate -l
sudo softwareupdate -ia --restart