CVE-2025-43512
HIGHCVSS Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Lifecycle Timeline
2Description
A logic issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, macOS Tahoe 26.2. An app may be able to elevate privileges.
Analysis
Local privilege escalation in Apple macOS (Sonoma 14.x, Sequoia 15.x, Tahoe 26.x) and iOS/iPadOS 18.x allows authenticated users to gain elevated system privileges through malicious applications exploiting a logic flaw in privilege checking mechanisms. Apple has released patches across all affected platforms (iOS 18.7.3, iPadOS 18.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, Sonoma 14.8.3, Tahoe 26.2). No public exploit identified at time of analysis, with EPSS score of 0.01% (3rd percentile) indicating minimal observed exploitation activity.
Technical Context
This vulnerability represents a CWE-269 improper privilege management flaw affecting Apple's operating system security boundary enforcement. The logic issue resides in the privilege escalation prevention mechanisms that should restrict applications from gaining higher system privileges than initially granted. Apple's advisory indicates this was resolved through 'improved checks,' suggesting the flaw involved insufficient validation of privilege requests or improper handling of process capabilities during application execution. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS generations (Sonoma 14.x, Sequoia 15.x, and the newer Tahoe 26.x branch) as well as the iOS/iPadOS 18.x mobile platform, indicating a shared codebase component across Apple's operating system family. The CPE strings confirm impact across Apple's macOS ecosystem, though the mobile platforms share the underlying vulnerability pattern.
Affected Products
This vulnerability affects Apple iOS versions prior to 18.7.3, iPadOS versions prior to 18.7.3, macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.7.3, macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.8.3, and macOS Tahoe versions prior to 26.2. The CPE identifiers cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos indicate broad impact across Apple's macOS operating system family. All versions of these operating systems released before the March 2025 security updates are vulnerable to local privilege escalation through malicious applications. Detailed product version information is available in Apple's security advisories at https://support.apple.com/en-us/125885, https://support.apple.com/en-us/125886, https://support.apple.com/en-us/125887, and https://support.apple.com/en-us/125888.
Remediation
Apple has released patched versions addressing this vulnerability across all affected platforms. Users should immediately upgrade to iOS 18.7.3, iPadOS 18.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, or macOS Tahoe 26.2 depending on their platform. Updates can be applied through System Settings (macOS) or Settings (iOS/iPadOS) under Software Update, or through Apple's enterprise deployment tools for managed environments. Detailed security content and update instructions are available in Apple's official security advisories at https://support.apple.com/en-us/125887 for macOS and https://support.apple.com/en-us/125888 for iOS/iPadOS. No workarounds are provided; patching is the only effective remediation. Organizations should prioritize updates for multi-user systems and high-value targets where local privilege escalation poses significant risk to sensitive data or system integrity.
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