CVE-2023-29497 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically related to the handling of temporary files containing calendar data. In affected versions of macOS prior to Sonoma 14, an application may gain unauthorized access to calendar data saved in a temporary directory. This occurs because the operating system did not sufficiently isolate or protect temporary files, allowing apps with certain permissions to read sensitive calendar information that should have been restricted. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple in macOS Sonoma 14 through improved handling and protection of temporary files, ensuring that calendar data stored temporarily is not accessible to unauthorized applications. While no specific affected versions were detailed, the issue is relevant to all macOS versions before the fix. There are no known exploits in the wild, indicating that active exploitation has not been observed. The vulnerability primarily compromises confidentiality, as calendar data often contains sensitive personal and business information. Exploitation likely requires the malicious app to be installed on the system but does not require user interaction once installed. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure temporary file management and strict access controls within the macOS environment to protect user privacy.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a privacy risk by potentially exposing sensitive calendar data to unauthorized applications. Calendar data often includes confidential meeting details, personal appointments, and strategic business information, which if accessed by malicious actors, could lead to information leakage or targeted attacks such as social engineering or corporate espionage. Organizations with employees using macOS devices, particularly in sectors like finance, government, legal, and technology, may face increased risk. The impact is primarily on confidentiality, with no direct effect on system integrity or availability. Since the vulnerability can be exploited by any app installed on the system, insider threats or supply chain attacks distributing malicious apps could leverage this flaw. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the potential for future exploitation remains. Compliance with European data protection regulations such as GDPR may also be affected if sensitive personal data is exposed due to this vulnerability.

The primary mitigation is to update all macOS devices to macOS Sonoma 14 or later, where the vulnerability has been fixed. Organizations should enforce strict patch management policies to ensure timely deployment of this update. Additionally, implement application control policies to restrict installation of untrusted or unnecessary apps, reducing the risk of malicious apps gaining access to temporary directories. Use endpoint security solutions that monitor and restrict app permissions, particularly those requesting access to calendar data or temporary file storage. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified applications and encourage the use of managed app stores or enterprise app deployment mechanisms. Regularly audit and monitor file system access logs to detect unusual access patterns to temporary directories. For highly sensitive environments, consider disabling or limiting calendar synchronization features or using containerization to isolate calendar data. Finally, review and update privacy policies and incident response plans to address potential data exposure incidents related to calendar data.