CVE-2023-40390 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically addressed in macOS Sonoma 14.2. The root cause involves sensitive user data being stored in locations accessible by applications, potentially allowing malicious or compromised apps to access this data without proper authorization. The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as running or installing the app. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning an attacker must have local access to the device. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (C:H) but does not affect integrity or availability. Apple mitigated this issue by moving sensitive data to protected locations inaccessible to unauthorized apps, thereby reducing the risk of data leakage. While no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the medium CVSS score of 5.5 reflects the moderate risk posed by this vulnerability, especially in environments where users may install untrusted applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure data storage and access controls within the macOS environment to protect user privacy.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the confidentiality of sensitive user data on macOS devices. Organizations with employees using macOS for handling sensitive information—such as financial data, personal identifiable information (PII), or intellectual property—could face data leakage if malicious apps exploit this vulnerability. While the attack requires local access and user interaction, insider threats or social engineering attacks could facilitate exploitation. The impact is particularly relevant for sectors with strict data protection regulations like GDPR, where unauthorized data access can lead to compliance violations and reputational damage. Additionally, organizations relying on macOS for critical operations may experience indirect impacts if sensitive data exposure leads to further targeted attacks or loss of trust. However, the lack of known exploits in the wild and the requirement for user interaction somewhat limit the immediate risk.

To mitigate CVE-2023-40390, European organizations should: 1) Ensure all macOS devices are updated promptly to macOS Sonoma 14.2 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. 2) Implement strict application control policies using Apple’s built-in tools like Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection to restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned apps. 3) Educate users about the risks of installing applications from unverified sources and the importance of verifying app permissions. 4) Monitor endpoint devices for unusual application behavior or unauthorized access attempts to sensitive data. 5) Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and automate patch management. 6) Regularly audit installed applications and remove unnecessary or suspicious software. 7) Consider deploying data loss prevention (DLP) tools to detect and prevent unauthorized data access or exfiltration on macOS devices. These measures collectively reduce the attack surface and limit the potential for exploitation.