CVE-2025-43194

Application Can Modify Protected File System Parts in macOS

Published Jul 29, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 9.8 Critical EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.7. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

The vulnerability allows a user‑level application to write to protected parts of the macOS file system, which constitutes a direct violation of access control checks (CWE-284). This capability could be used to modify system files or replace critical configuration data, thereby compromising the integrity of the operating system. The flaw is specifically about bypassing or weakening the safeguards that normally prevent non‑privileged processes from altering protected directories.

Affected Systems

Apple macOS installations before Sequoia 15.6, Sonoma 14.7.7, and Ventura 13.7.7 are affected. The issue exists on any macOS version that has not yet applied the updates listed in the advisory; all prior releases are vulnerable.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 9.8 marks the flaw as critical. The EPSS score is reported as less than 1%, indicating that exploitation attempts are currently rare. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Based on the description, the likely attack vector involves a local or privileged application executing code that writes to protected file system locations; no evidence of a remote exploitation path is provided.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the macOS update that includes the security fix: Sequoia 15.6 or newer, Sonoma 14.7.7 or newer, or Ventura 13.7.7 or newer.
  • If an update cannot be applied immediately, enforce stricter application sandboxing and limit the installation of unsigned or untrusted applications to reduce the attack surface.
  • Verify that critical system directories retain write permissions for root and administrators only, removing any unintended group or world write access.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 28, 2026 at 18:45 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-23123 The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.7. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Application Can Modify Protected File System Parts in macOS
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-284
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apple
Apple macos
Apple macos Sequoia
Apple macos Sonoma
Apple macos Ventura
Vendors & Products Apple
Apple macos
Apple macos Sequoia
Apple macos Sonoma
Apple macos Ventura
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.7. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apple
Published
Updated
Apr 2, 2026, 6:13 PM
Reserved
Apr 16, 2025, 3:24 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Jul 30, 2025, 12:15 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 9:23 AM