Apple macOS/tvOS/visionOS/watchOS/iOS/iPadOS up to 14.8.1/15.7.1 App symlink

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | $5k-$25k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Apple macOS, tvOS, visionOS, watchOS, iOS and iPadOS up to 14.8.1/15.7.1. Impacted is an unknown function of the component App. The manipulation results in symlink. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-43448. The attack is only possible with local access. There is not any exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability was found in Apple macOS, tvOS, visionOS, watchOS, iOS and iPadOS up to 14.8.1/15.7.1. It has been classified as critical. Affected is some unknown functionality of the component App. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a symlink vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:
This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, iOS 18.7.2 and iPadOS 18.7.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, visionOS 26.1. An app may be able to break out of its sandbox.
The advisory is shared for download at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-43448 since 04/16/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (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). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Affected
- Apple macOS
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.apple.com/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: SymlinkCWE: 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: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: macOS/tvOS/visionOS/watchOS/iOS/iPadOS 14.8.2/15.7.2
Timeline
04/16/2025 CVE reserved11/04/2025 Advisory disclosed
11/04/2025 VulDB entry created
12/18/2025 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: apple.comAdvisory: support.apple.com
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2025-43448 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-43448
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-331116
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2475 - Apple macOS: Mehrere Schwachstellen
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20180712
Entry
Created: 11/04/2025 08:15Updated: 12/18/2025 07:28
Changes: 11/04/2025 08:15 (57), 11/15/2025 11:04 (7), 12/18/2025 07:28 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
No comments yet. Languages: en.
Please log in to comment.