CVE-2023-40541 is a privacy vulnerability in Apple macOS involving the Shortcuts app or shortcut functionality. The flaw allows a shortcut to output sensitive user data without explicit user consent, potentially exposing personal or confidential information. This behavior violates user privacy expectations and could be exploited by malicious actors who craft shortcuts that extract and output sensitive data surreptitiously. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple in macOS Sonoma 14 through the implementation of an additional user consent prompt before sensitive data can be output by a shortcut. The affected macOS versions are unspecified but presumably include versions prior to Sonoma 14. There are no reports of active exploitation in the wild, indicating this is a recently discovered issue. The vulnerability does not require authentication but likely requires the user to run or interact with a malicious shortcut, which could be delivered via social engineering or other means. The lack of a CVSS score necessitates an assessment based on the impact on confidentiality, ease of exploitation, and scope. Given that sensitive user data can be leaked without consent, the confidentiality impact is high. The ease of exploitation is moderate to high due to the need for user interaction but no authentication. The scope is limited to macOS devices running vulnerable versions. This vulnerability highlights the importance of user consent mechanisms in automation tools that can access sensitive data.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant privacy risk, especially for those with employees or systems using macOS devices. Sensitive data leakage could include personal information, credentials, or corporate data accessible via shortcuts, potentially leading to data breaches or compliance violations under GDPR. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where confidentiality is critical, could face reputational damage and regulatory penalties if sensitive data is exposed. The impact is amplified in environments where macOS is widely used and where users might be targeted with social engineering to run malicious shortcuts. Although no known exploits exist currently, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or insider threat scenarios. The risk to availability and integrity is low, but confidentiality impact is high. The vulnerability also underscores the need for strict control over automation tools and user education to prevent inadvertent data leaks.

European organizations should immediately ensure all macOS devices are updated to macOS Sonoma 14 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Implement strict policies restricting the use of untrusted or third-party shortcuts, especially those obtained from unknown sources. Educate users about the risks of running shortcuts that request access to sensitive data and encourage skepticism of unsolicited shortcut requests. Employ endpoint security solutions capable of monitoring and restricting shortcut execution or suspicious automation activities. Consider deploying Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce update policies and restrict shortcut usage. Regularly audit and review shortcut permissions and data access logs where possible. For sensitive environments, disable or limit the use of shortcuts altogether until the patch is applied. Finally, maintain awareness of any emerging exploit reports and update incident response plans accordingly.