CVE-2025-43275: Apple macOS Race Condition Vulnerability

CVE-2025-43275 Overview

CVE-2025-43275 is a race condition vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application to break out of its sandbox. Apple addressed the issue with additional validation logic. The flaw affects macOS Sequoia, Sonoma, and Ventura release lines and is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, and macOS Ventura 13.7.7. The weakness is classified under [CWE-362] (Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization).

Critical Impact
A malicious application can escape the macOS sandbox, breaking a foundational security boundary that isolates third-party code from sensitive system resources and user data.

Affected Products

Apple macOS Sequoia (prior to 15.6)
Apple macOS Sonoma (prior to 14.7.7)
Apple macOS Ventura (prior to 13.7.7)

Discovery Timeline

2025-07-30 - CVE-2025-43275 published to NVD
2025-11-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-43275

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a race condition that affects the macOS sandbox enforcement path. An attacker-controlled application can exploit the timing window between a sandbox-relevant state check and the subsequent action that relies on that state. By winning the race, the application performs an operation under more permissive conditions than the sandbox would otherwise allow.

This class of flaw is commonly referred to as a Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) issue. The macOS sandbox is designed to confine third-party code, restricting access to the filesystem, IPC endpoints, and privileged system services. A successful escape gives the process access outside its container boundary.

Apple's advisory states that the fix introduces additional validation, indicating that the prior code path did not re-verify the relevant state at the moment of use. The published descriptions from Apple do not disclose the affected component name or interface.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper synchronization between a sandbox check and the action it gates. Without atomic verification, an attacker can mutate the underlying resource or state after the check passes but before the privileged operation completes.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires the attacker to run code inside a sandboxed application context on the target system. The attacker triggers the vulnerable operation while concurrently manipulating the resource referenced by the check. No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for this CVE. For technical specifics, refer to the Apple Support advisory for macOS Sequoia 15.6, the advisory for macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, and the advisory for macOS Ventura 13.7.7.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43275

Indicators of Compromise

Sandboxed applications spawning child processes or accessing filesystem paths outside their declared container directory.
Unexpected writes to user Library paths, LaunchAgents, or system-managed directories originating from App Store or third-party sandboxed apps.
Audit log entries (com.apple.security.sandbox) showing repeated denials immediately followed by successful access to the same resource.

Detection Strategies

Monitor sandboxd and Endpoint Security framework events for anomalous file, mach port, and IPC access patterns from sandboxed processes.
Baseline expected behaviors per signed application bundle identifier and alert on deviations such as new entitlement-equivalent activity.
Correlate rapid repeated access attempts on the same resource (a hallmark of race-condition exploitation) with subsequent privileged operations.

Monitoring Recommendations

Ensure macOS unified logging and Endpoint Security telemetry are forwarded to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation.
Track macOS build versions across the fleet and alert on hosts running pre-patch versions (below 15.6, 14.7.7, or 13.7.7).
Flag installations of new third-party applications from outside the App Store, particularly those requesting broad file access prompts shortly after launch.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43275

Immediate Actions Required

Update all macOS endpoints to macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, or macOS Ventura 13.7.7 or later.
Inventory systems running unsupported macOS versions and prioritize them for upgrade or replacement.
Restrict installation of untrusted third-party applications and enforce Gatekeeper and notarization policies.

Patch Information

Apple released fixes in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, and macOS Ventura 13.7.7. Refer to Apple Support article 124149, Apple Support article 124150, and Apple Support article 124151 for the full list of addressed issues and installation guidance.

Workarounds

No vendor-supplied workaround exists; patching is the only supported remediation.
Limit execution of untrusted sandboxed applications until affected systems are updated.
Enforce least-privilege user accounts and disable administrative rights for standard users to reduce post-escape impact.

bash

# Verify the installed macOS version meets the patched baseline
sw_vers -productVersion

# Trigger a software update check and install available updates
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart