CVE-2023-38607 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS systems prior to the release of macOS Sonoma 14. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of caches related to printer settings, which allows a local application to modify printer configurations without requiring privileges. Specifically, an app with limited permissions and without requiring prior authentication can alter printer settings by exploiting this cache handling flaw. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or availability but has a significant impact on integrity, as unauthorized changes to printer configurations could lead to misconfiguration, potential data leakage through altered print jobs, or disruption of printing services. The vulnerability requires local access and some user interaction to exploit, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R). Apple addressed this issue by improving cache handling mechanisms in macOS Sonoma 14, mitigating the risk of unauthorized printer setting modifications. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and the affected versions are unspecified but presumably all macOS versions prior to Sonoma 14. The CVSS score of 5.5 reflects a medium severity level, balancing the ease of exploitation with the limited scope of impact on system confidentiality and availability.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized modification of printer settings on macOS devices, potentially causing operational disruptions in printing workflows or enabling indirect data leakage through manipulated print jobs. Organizations relying heavily on macOS for office productivity, especially those with sensitive printing requirements (e.g., legal firms, financial institutions, healthcare providers), may face risks related to integrity and operational reliability. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise data confidentiality or system availability, altered printer settings could be used as a vector for further attacks or to undermine trust in printed documents. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or compromised user accounts could leverage this vulnerability. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in European corporate and governmental environments, the vulnerability poses a moderate risk that should be addressed promptly to maintain secure and reliable printing infrastructure.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to macOS Sonoma 14 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations should implement strict application control policies to prevent untrusted or unauthorized applications from running on macOS systems, thereby reducing the risk of local exploitation. Additionally, monitoring and auditing printer configuration changes can help detect unauthorized modifications early. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous behavior related to printer settings. User education to avoid running untrusted applications and limiting local administrative privileges can further reduce exploitation likelihood. Network segmentation of printing infrastructure and restricting access to printing services can also mitigate potential impacts. Finally, organizations should maintain an inventory of macOS devices and ensure timely deployment of security updates.