CVE-2022-42819 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS operating systems, including Big Sur 11.7, Monterey 12.6, and Ventura 13. The vulnerability arises from insufficient access restrictions that allow an application to read sensitive location information without proper authorization. Specifically, the flaw permits an app to bypass intended access controls and obtain location data that should be protected. This issue is classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The vulnerability requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity or availability (I:N, A:N). Apple addressed this vulnerability by improving access restrictions in the affected macOS versions. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no specific patch links were provided, but the fix is included in the stated macOS updates. The vulnerability primarily concerns the confidentiality of location data, which is sensitive personal information that can reveal user movements and habits if exposed. The exploitation vector involves a local app that tricks or convinces a user to interact with it, thereby gaining unauthorized access to location information.

For European organizations, the exposure of sensitive location information can have significant privacy and security implications. Location data can be used to track employee movements, infer business activities, or identify the physical presence of key personnel, which could be leveraged for targeted attacks or corporate espionage. Organizations handling sensitive or classified information, such as government agencies, defense contractors, or critical infrastructure operators, may face increased risks if adversaries gain location insights. Additionally, companies subject to GDPR must consider the regulatory implications of unauthorized location data exposure, as it constitutes personal data leakage. While the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach can undermine trust, lead to reputational damage, and potentially result in legal penalties. Since exploitation requires user interaction and local app installation, the risk is higher in environments where users may install untrusted software or where endpoint security is lax. Remote exploitation is not possible, limiting the attack surface primarily to insider threats or social engineering scenarios.

European organizations should ensure that all macOS devices are updated promptly to versions Big Sur 11.7, Monterey 12.6, Ventura 13, or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies to prevent installation of unauthorized or untrusted applications, reducing the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Endpoint protection solutions with behavior-based detection can help identify apps attempting to access location data without proper permissions. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of installing unknown software and interacting with suspicious applications. Additionally, organizations can audit and restrict location services permissions on macOS devices, limiting which apps can access location data. Employing Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce these policies centrally will enhance control. Regular monitoring of logs for unusual access to location services can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Finally, organizations should review their data protection policies to ensure compliance with GDPR regarding location data handling and breach notification procedures.