CVE-2025-43248

Privilege Escalation via Logic Flaw in macOS Access Controls

Published Jul 29, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed

Description

A logic issue was addressed with improved restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7. A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges.

Analysis

Technical impact

A logic flaw in macOS permits a malicious application to acquire root privileges. The flaw stems from insufficient restrictions on privileged operations, classified as CWE‑269. The vulnerability was corrected by applying tighter access controls in later releases of macOS Sequoia and Sonoma.

Affected Systems

Apple macOS is affected. The issue remains present in versions prior to macOS Sequoia 15.6 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.7; it is fixed in those and later releases of the two operating systems.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates high severity, while an EPSS of less than 1% suggests a low probability of exploitation at present. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Based on the description, the likely attack vector is installing a malicious app that, once executed, gains elevated privileges; this bypasses normal user privilege separation and enables full system control.

Affected Products

Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).

Vendor Product Default status Versions

Apple

macOS

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`0`	affected	< 14.7.7
`0`	affected	< 15.6

Configuration 1 [-]

OR	cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos::::::::

No data.

Vendor	Product	Versions
Apple	Macos	—
Apple	Macos Sequoia	—
Apple	Macos Sonoma	—

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

Upgrade to macOS Sequoia 15.6 or later, or macOS Sonoma 14.7.7 or later
Enable Gatekeeper and restrict installation to signed, developer‑verified applications
Limit application permissions by disabling unnecessary system access and reviewing all granted privileges

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 28, 2026 at 22:42 UTC.

Tracking

Advisories

Source	ID	Title
EUVD	EUVD-2025-23120	A logic issue was addressed with improved restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7. A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges.

Metrics

No CVSS v4.0

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required None

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact High

Integrity Impact High

Availability Impact High

User Interaction Required

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

Exploit prediction score: < 1% (0.226% probability within 30 days)

Exploitation none

Automatable no

Technical Impact total

References

Link	Providers
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/32
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/33
https://support.apple.com/en-us/124149
https://support.apple.com/en-us/124150

History

Apr 28, 2026 11:00 PM Title updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Title		Privilege Escalation via Logic Flaw in macOS Access Controls

Nov 3, 2025 8:30 PM Added references View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
References		http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/32 http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/33

Jul 31, 2025 9:15 PM Affected versions updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
CPEs		cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos::::::::

Jul 31, 2025 6:15 PM Weaknesses updated. Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Weaknesses		CWE-269
Metrics		cvssV3_1 `{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}` ssvc `{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}`

Jul 30, 2025 11:15 AM First appearance in the feed. Affected vendors updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
First Time appeared		Apple Apple macos Apple macos Sequoia Apple macos Sonoma
Vendors & Products		Apple Apple macos Apple macos Sequoia Apple macos Sonoma

Jul 29, 2025 11:45 PM Description updated. Added references View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Description		A logic issue was addressed with improved restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7. A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges.
References		https://support.apple.com/en-us/124149 https://support.apple.com/en-us/124150