CVE-2025-43413 Overview
CVE-2025-43413 is an improper access control vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems and platforms. The vulnerability allows a sandboxed application to bypass sandbox restrictions and observe system-wide network connections, potentially exposing sensitive network activity information to malicious applications.
The vulnerability stems from insufficient sandbox restrictions in Apple's security architecture. When exploited, a malicious application running within the sandbox environment can gain visibility into network connections beyond its intended scope, potentially revealing information about user browsing habits, connected services, and network infrastructure.
Critical Impact
A sandboxed app may be able to observe system-wide network connections, potentially exposing sensitive network activity and connection metadata across the entire system.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 (prior versions)
- Apple macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 (prior versions)
- Apple macOS Sonoma 14.8.2 (prior versions)
- Apple macOS Tahoe 26.1 (prior versions)
- Apple tvOS 26.1 (prior versions)
- Apple visionOS 26.1 (prior versions)
- Apple watchOS 26.1 (prior versions)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-04 - CVE-2025-43413 published to NVD
- 2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-43413
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), indicating that the affected systems fail to properly restrict access to network connection information. The flaw exists in Apple's sandbox implementation, which is designed to isolate applications and limit their access to system resources.
The sandbox mechanism is a critical security boundary in Apple's operating systems, restricting what data and resources applications can access. When this boundary is compromised, applications that should be confined to their own data and network connections can instead monitor system-wide network activity.
The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality of network connection data, as an attacker can leverage a sandboxed application to gather intelligence about all network connections on the device. This includes connections made by other applications, system services, and potentially sensitive background processes.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2025-43413 lies in insufficient sandbox restrictions governing access to network connection information. The sandbox boundary did not adequately isolate network connection visibility, allowing applications to access network connection data that should have been restricted to system-level processes or specific authorized applications.
Apple's sandbox is designed to enforce the principle of least privilege by limiting what resources each application can access. In this case, the sandbox rules or enforcement mechanisms failed to properly restrict access to network connection enumeration APIs or data structures, creating an information disclosure pathway.
Attack Vector
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring no user interaction or special privileges. An attacker would need to deploy a malicious application on the target device, which could be accomplished through various means including malicious App Store submissions, enterprise deployment mechanisms, or social engineering.
Once installed, the malicious application operates within its sandbox but exploits the insufficient restrictions to:
- Enumerate active network connections across the entire system
- Monitor connection establishment and termination events
- Gather metadata about connected hosts, ports, and protocols
- Build a profile of user activity and connected services
This information could be used for reconnaissance, tracking user behavior, identifying valuable targets on the network, or as part of a larger attack chain.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43413
Indicators of Compromise
- Applications making unusual or excessive calls to network enumeration APIs
- Sandboxed applications accessing network connection information outside their expected scope
- Unexpected network metadata collection by third-party applications
- Applications with suspicious entitlement requests related to network monitoring
Detection Strategies
- Monitor application behavior for attempts to enumerate system-wide network connections
- Implement endpoint detection rules that alert on sandboxed applications accessing restricted network APIs
- Review application entitlements and permissions for unauthorized network monitoring capabilities
- Deploy behavioral analysis to identify applications exhibiting reconnaissance patterns
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed logging for sandbox violation attempts and network API access
- Implement real-time monitoring for applications accessing network connection data beyond their scope
- Configure alerts for unusual patterns of network connection enumeration activity
- Regularly audit installed applications for suspicious behaviors or unexpected permissions
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43413
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all affected Apple devices to the latest patched versions immediately
- Review installed applications and remove any untrusted or unnecessary third-party apps
- Enable automatic updates to ensure timely application of future security patches
- Implement mobile device management (MDM) policies to enforce application restrictions
Patch Information
Apple has addressed this vulnerability with additional sandbox restrictions in the following releases:
- iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 - Apple Support Document #125632
- macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 - Apple Support Document #125635
- macOS Sonoma 14.8.2 - Apple Support Document #125636
- macOS Tahoe 26.1 - Apple Support Document #125637
- tvOS 26.1 - Apple Support Document #125638
- visionOS 26.1 - Apple Support Document #125639
Organizations should prioritize patching based on device exposure and data sensitivity.
Workarounds
- Restrict installation of applications to only trusted sources and verified developers
- Implement network segmentation to limit the value of network connection reconnaissance
- Use application control policies to prevent installation of unauthorized applications
- Deploy endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting sandbox escape attempts
- Monitor device logs for evidence of network enumeration activity by sandboxed applications
# Check current macOS version for patch status
sw_vers
# Verify iOS/iPadOS version via command line (if managed)
# Use MDM solution to query device versions and enforce updates
# Review installed applications on macOS
ls -la /Applications/
# Check for available system updates on macOS
softwareupdate --list
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
