Apple macOS up to 14.7/15.6 Directory resolution of path

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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7.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple macOS up to 14.7/15.6. It has been rated as critical. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Directory Handler. Performing a manipulation results in Local Privilege Escalation. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2025-43298. The attack requires a local approach. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple macOS up to 14.7/15.6. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown function of the component Directory Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a local privilege escalation vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-41. The product is vulnerable to file system contents disclosure through path equivalence. Path equivalence involves the use of special characters in file and directory names. The associated manipulations are intended to generate multiple names for the same object. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A parsing issue in the handling of directory paths was addressed with improved path validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8, macOS Tahoe 26. An app may be able to gain root privileges.

The advisory is shared at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-43298 since 04/16/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/16/2025). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1006 for this issue.

Upgrading to version 14.8, 15.7 or 26.0 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2025-29272). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.5

VulDB Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Temp Score: 7.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Resolution of path
CWE: CWE-41
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: macOS 14.8/15.7/26.0

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
09/16/2025 +153 days Advisory disclosed
09/16/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/17/2025 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: support.apple.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-43298 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-43298
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-324177
EUVD: 🔒
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20180712

Entryinfo

Created: 09/16/2025 07:30
Updated: 09/17/2025 01:51
Changes: 09/16/2025 07:30 (55), 09/16/2025 08:23 (1), 09/17/2025 01:51 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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