CVE-2022-26767 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS systems, specifically prior to versions macOS Monterey 12.4 and macOS Big Sur 11.6.6 where it has been patched. The vulnerability allows a malicious application to bypass the Privacy preferences controls implemented by macOS. Privacy preferences in macOS are designed to restrict application access to sensitive user data and system resources, such as contacts, calendars, photos, microphone, camera, and location services. This vulnerability stems from insufficient permission checks (classified under CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization), which could allow an attacker to circumvent these controls and gain unauthorized access to protected data or system capabilities. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium), with an attack vector of local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The impact is primarily on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported to date. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple through additional permission checks in the affected macOS versions.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the confidentiality of sensitive data on macOS devices. Organizations relying on Apple hardware and software, especially those handling personal data subject to GDPR, could face data leakage if a malicious application exploits this flaw to access protected user information without consent. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or social engineering attacks could leverage this vulnerability to bypass privacy controls. This could lead to unauthorized data exposure, reputational damage, and potential regulatory penalties. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government entities in Europe, which often use macOS devices and handle sensitive information, may be particularly impacted. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity and nature of the vulnerability warrant prompt remediation to maintain compliance and security posture.

European organizations should ensure all macOS devices are updated to at least macOS Monterey 12.4 or macOS Big Sur 11.6.6 where the vulnerability is patched. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application control policies using Apple’s Endpoint Security framework or Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to restrict installation and execution of untrusted applications. User education is critical to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could trigger user interaction required for exploitation. Regular audits of privacy preference settings and monitoring for anomalous application behavior can help detect attempts to bypass privacy controls. Additionally, leveraging macOS’s built-in transparency and consent logging can assist in forensic investigations if suspicious activity is suspected. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying privilege escalation or unauthorized access attempts on macOS platforms.