CVE-2025-43512 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2025
A logic issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Tahoe 26.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3. An app may be able to elevate privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2025
This vulnerability represents a logic flaw in Apple's operating systems that could potentially allow malicious applications to escalate their privileges beyond normal user restrictions. The issue was identified as a weakness in the system's access control mechanisms, where proper validation checks were insufficient to prevent unauthorized elevation of privileges. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including macOS Tahoe 26.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, iOS 18.7.3, and iPadOS 18.7.3, indicating a widespread concern across the Apple ecosystem. The fix implemented by Apple addresses the root cause through enhanced validation procedures that ensure proper privilege boundaries are maintained during application execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation flaws that are commonly categorized as CWE-276, which deals with improper privilege management in software systems. The security implications are significant as privilege escalation vulnerabilities allow attackers to gain higher-level permissions than initially granted, potentially enabling complete system compromise or unauthorized access to sensitive data. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in mobile and desktop environments where applications may have varying levels of system access based on user permissions and application sandboxing policies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege elevation to encompass broader security implications for enterprise and individual users alike. When an application can bypass normal privilege restrictions, it creates potential attack vectors for malicious actors to access system resources, modify critical files, or establish persistent access to affected devices. The fix implemented by Apple addresses this through improved access control validation that ensures applications cannot improperly escalate their privileges through logical flaws in the system's permission handling mechanisms. Organizations using affected Apple platforms should prioritize patching to prevent potential exploitation, as this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value targets or in mass exploitation campaigns. The remediation process involves updating to the specified versions of the affected operating systems, which contain the necessary code changes to correct the logic issue. Security teams should monitor for any indicators of exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where users may be running outdated system versions that have not yet received the security updates.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of software vulnerabilities to gain higher system privileges. The fix implemented by Apple demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing logical flaws in system design, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement. This type of vulnerability is often discovered through systematic code review processes and security testing methodologies that focus on identifying weak points in application permission handling. The remediation approach taken by Apple involves strengthening the validation logic that governs privilege transitions, ensuring that applications cannot bypass normal system security boundaries through clever exploitation of logical flaws. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for continuous security assessment and the importance of maintaining up-to-date systems to protect against known exploits. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat modeling activities, particularly when assessing risks in environments where Apple devices are used for sensitive operations or contain confidential information. The resolution of this issue through software updates reinforces the importance of timely patch management and the need for organizations to maintain comprehensive inventory systems that track operating system versions across their device fleets.