Root privilege escalation via directory path parsing
Published Sep 15, 2025 · Updated Sep 15, 2025
Path parsing in PackageKit in Apple macOS before 14.8, 15.7, or 26 allows local users to gain root privileges through an app. PackageKit insufficiently validates directory paths during parsing, so an app-controlled path is accepted for a privileged package operation. Local app execution is required; Apple has not disclosed the affected parser, malformed path form, or whether sandbox escape is also required.
Summary
What happened
Path parsing in PackageKit in Apple macOS before 14.8, 15.7, or 26 allows local users to gain root privileges through an app. PackageKit insufficiently validates directory paths during parsing, so an app-controlled path is accepted for a privileged package operation. Local app execution is required; Apple has not disclosed the affected parser, malformed path form, or whether sandbox escape is also required.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-43298
- Published
- Sep 15, 2025
- Updated
- Sep 15, 2025
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- macOS
- Classifications
- CWE-41, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 15, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 15, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <14.8
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <15.7
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <26
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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