CVE-2022-48504 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS systems prior to the Ventura 13 release. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of caches within the operating system, which could allow a malicious application to access user-sensitive data without requiring privileges. Specifically, the vulnerability enables an app to read sensitive information that it should not have access to, potentially compromising user confidentiality. The vulnerability requires local access (attack vector: local), does not require privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as the user running or installing the malicious app. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component without affecting other system components. The confidentiality impact is high (C:H), while integrity and availability impacts are none (I:N, A:N). This suggests that the primary risk is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data rather than system modification or denial of service. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved cache handling in macOS Ventura 13, indicating that the vulnerability relates to how cached data is stored or accessed, potentially allowing data leakage between processes or apps. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date, but the vulnerability's presence in a widely used OS makes it a concern for users and organizations relying on macOS systems.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to confidentiality of sensitive user data on macOS devices. Organizations with employees or systems running vulnerable macOS versions could face data leakage risks if malicious applications are introduced, either through social engineering or insider threats. The requirement for user interaction reduces the risk of remote exploitation but does not eliminate it, especially in environments where users may install untrusted software. Sensitive data exposure could include personal information, credentials, or corporate data cached by the OS, potentially leading to privacy violations and regulatory compliance issues under GDPR. The impact is heightened for sectors handling sensitive personal or financial data, such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. While no integrity or availability impacts are noted, the confidentiality breach alone can lead to reputational damage, legal penalties, and loss of customer trust. The lack of known exploits suggests a window of opportunity for organizations to patch and mitigate before active exploitation occurs.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS systems to Ventura 13 or later where the vulnerability is fixed. Given the vulnerability requires user interaction, organizations should enforce strict application control policies, such as using Apple’s Gatekeeper and notarization checks to prevent untrusted apps from running. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting suspicious local app behavior. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and phishing attempts that may lead to running malicious apps. Employ least privilege principles to limit user permissions and reduce the impact of potential exploitation. Regularly audit installed applications and monitor for unusual access patterns to sensitive data. For environments with high security requirements, consider restricting macOS device usage to managed and vetted applications only. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly respond if a breach is suspected.