Apple macOS up to 14.8.1/15.7.1 App symlink

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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5.1$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Apple macOS up to 14.8.1/15.7.1. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component App. The manipulation leads to symlink. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2025-43446. The attack can only be performed from a local environment. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple macOS up to 14.8.1/15.7.1 and classified as critical. This issue affects an unknown functionality of the component App. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a symlink vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-61. The product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently account for when the file is a symbolic link that resolves to a target outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Tahoe 26.1, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.

It is possible to read the advisory at support.apple.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-43446 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation is known to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 12/18/2025).

Upgrading to version 14.8.2 or 15.7.2 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2475). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Apple macOS

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.1

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
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: Symlink
CWE: CWE-61 / CWE-59
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 14.8.2/15.7.2

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
11/04/2025 +202 days Advisory disclosed
11/04/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/18/2025 +44 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: support.apple.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-43446 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-43446
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-331115
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2475 - Apple macOS: Mehrere Schwachstellen

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20180712

Entryinfo

Created: 11/04/2025 08:12
Updated: 12/18/2025 06:48
Changes: 11/04/2025 08:12 (57), 11/15/2025 11:04 (7), 12/18/2025 06:48 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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