CVE-2023-40411 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to access user-sensitive data improperly due to insufficient data protection controls. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The issue was addressed by Apple in macOS Sonoma 14 through improved data protection mechanisms. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with an attack vector of local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), high impact on confidentiality (C:H), and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N/A:N). This means an attacker must have local access and trick a user into interacting with a malicious app to exploit the vulnerability. The flaw could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data, which may include personal information or credentials stored or accessible on the device. There are no known exploits in the wild, but the vulnerability poses a risk especially in environments where untrusted applications can be installed or executed. The affected versions are unspecified but are all versions prior to the patched macOS Sonoma 14 release. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust data protection and app sandboxing in modern operating systems.

For European organizations, the primary impact is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. This could lead to privacy violations, intellectual property exposure, or leakage of credentials that could facilitate further attacks. Organizations relying on macOS for critical business functions or handling sensitive data are at risk of data breaches if devices remain unpatched. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in scenarios involving insider threats, compromised endpoints, or social engineering attacks. The confidentiality impact is high, but integrity and availability remain unaffected. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not preclude future exploitation. This vulnerability could also affect compliance with European data protection regulations such as GDPR if sensitive data is exposed.

The most effective mitigation is to update all macOS devices to macOS Sonoma 14 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Organizations should enforce strict patch management policies to ensure timely updates. Additionally, restricting the installation of untrusted or unsigned applications reduces the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Employing endpoint protection solutions that monitor app behavior and data access can help detect suspicious activities. User training to recognize and avoid interacting with potentially malicious applications is also critical. Implementing application whitelisting and leveraging Apple's built-in security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and app sandboxing further reduces exposure. Regular audits of installed applications and permissions can identify and remediate risky software. Finally, organizations should monitor security advisories from Apple for any updates or related vulnerabilities.