CVE-2025-43290: Apple macOS Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2025-43290 Overview

CVE-2025-43290 is a permissions vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows a local application to modify protected parts of the file system. Apple addressed the issue by adding further restrictions to the affected component. The flaw is mapped to [CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource]. Apple released fixes in macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, and macOS Tahoe 26.

The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, but no user interaction. Successful exploitation impacts integrity of system files protected by macOS access controls.

Critical Impact

A local application can bypass macOS file system protections and modify resources that should be restricted by the operating system, undermining system integrity guarantees.

Affected Products

• Apple macOS Sequoia (versions prior to 15.7)
• Apple macOS Sonoma (versions prior to 14.8)
• Apple macOS Tahoe (versions prior to 26)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-05-26 - CVE-2025-43290 published to NVD
• 2026-05-27 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-43290

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in macOS file system permission enforcement. An application running with limited local privileges can modify components of the file system that are intended to be protected by the operating system. Apple's advisory describes the fix as adding additional restrictions, indicating the original permission model granted broader write access than required.

The issue is categorized under [CWE-732], which covers incorrect permission assignment on critical resources. In macOS, protected file system regions are typically guarded by System Integrity Protection (SIP), Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC), and standard POSIX permissions. The vulnerability allowed an app to circumvent one of these layered controls.

EPSS data places the probability of exploitation at 0.004% as of 2026-05-28, reflecting low observed interest. No public proof-of-concept or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported.

Root Cause

The root cause is an overly permissive access control configuration on protected file system paths. The operating system did not enforce sufficient restrictions on which processes could write to these locations. Apple's remediation tightened the permission checks, blocking unauthorized modifications.

Attack Vector

An attacker requires local code execution on the target Mac, such as through a malicious or compromised application. Once running, the application can issue file system operations targeting protected directories or files. No user interaction is needed, and the impact is limited to integrity. Apple has not published exploitation details beyond the advisory text. Refer to the Apple Support Document #125110, Apple Support Document #125111, and Apple Support Document #125112 for vendor guidance.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43290

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected modifications to protected macOS system directories or files outside vendor-signed update windows.
• Unsigned or recently installed applications performing write operations against system-managed paths.
• Sudden changes to launch daemons, configuration profiles, or other persistence-relevant files by non-privileged processes.

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Endpoint Security framework (ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_WRITE, ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_RENAME) events targeting protected file system regions.
• Compare file integrity baselines on critical system paths and alert on deviations between macOS update cycles.
• Correlate process lineage with file system write events to flag non-privileged or unsigned binaries modifying protected resources.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Track installed macOS versions across the fleet and identify hosts running pre-patch builds (below 15.7, 14.8, or 26).
• Enable unified logging audit subsystem events related to file system access on managed endpoints.
• Forward macOS telemetry to a centralized analytics platform to support retroactive hunts if new exploitation indicators emerge.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43290

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade affected systems to macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, or macOS Tahoe 26.
• Inventory macOS endpoints and prioritize systems that handle sensitive data or have elevated trust roles.
• Restrict installation of unsigned or non-curated applications via Gatekeeper and mobile device management (MDM) policy.

Patch Information

Apple released patches in macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, and macOS Tahoe 26. Full advisory information is available in the Apple Support Document #125110, Apple Support Document #125111, and Apple Support Document #125112.

Workarounds

• No vendor-supplied workaround exists; apply the available updates as the primary remediation.
• Enforce least-privilege execution and avoid running untrusted applications on systems that cannot be immediately patched.
• Verify that System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Gatekeeper remain enabled on all macOS endpoints.