CVE-2025-46281 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/17/2025
A logic issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Tahoe 26.2. An app may be able to break out of its sandbox.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-46281 represents a sandbox escape flaw in macOS Tahoe 26.2 that stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the operating system's security framework. This logic issue allows malicious applications to potentially bypass the sandbox restrictions that are designed to contain applications within their designated execution boundaries. The sandboxing architecture in macOS relies on a combination of kernel-level protections and user-space controls to prevent applications from accessing unauthorized resources or executing privileged operations. When these protective mechanisms fail due to insufficient checks, applications may exploit the gap to gain elevated privileges or access restricted system components that should remain isolated from untrusted code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-254, which addresses weaknesses in protection mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to system resources. The flaw manifests as a failure in the validation logic that governs application behavior within the sandbox environment, enabling an attacker to craft malicious code that can circumvent the security boundaries. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it undermines the fundamental security model of modern operating systems, where sandboxing serves as a primary defense against malware and privilege escalation attacks. The issue specifically affects the macOS Tahoe 26.2 release, indicating that previous versions may have contained similar or related vulnerabilities that were addressed through improved validation checks.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-46281 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks that could leverage the sandbox escape to access sensitive user data, manipulate system configurations, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability could enable the execution of techniques categorized under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and persistence tactics. Applications that are typically restricted from accessing system resources or performing administrative functions could potentially exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the file system, network communications, or other critical system components. The implications become more severe when considering that sandboxed applications are often trusted with sensitive user data and are expected to operate within strict security boundaries.
The remediation for this vulnerability involves updating to macOS Tahoe 26.2, which includes enhanced validation mechanisms that address the specific logic flaw in the sandbox implementation. System administrators should prioritize this update across all affected systems to ensure that applications cannot exploit the sandbox escape mechanism. Additional mitigations may include monitoring for suspicious application behavior, implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement, and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to further restrict the execution of untrusted code, particularly in environments where sandboxed applications are commonly used. The fix demonstrates Apple's ongoing commitment to improving sandbox security through iterative updates and enhanced validation controls that address emerging threats in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.