CVE-2023-41994 is a logic vulnerability in Apple macOS affecting the camera extension subsystem. Specifically, a camera extension may bypass intended permission boundaries and access the camera view from applications other than the one for which camera access was explicitly granted. This occurs due to insufficient verification of app identity or context when the camera extension accesses the camera feed. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization). The issue was addressed by Apple with improved permission checks in macOS Sonoma 14. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, indicating local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, unchanged scope, high confidentiality impact, and no impact on integrity or availability. Exploitation requires the victim to interact with the malicious app or extension locally, which then can access camera feeds from other apps without proper authorization. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported. This vulnerability primarily threatens user privacy by potentially exposing camera streams to unauthorized applications, which could lead to surveillance or data leakage. The fix involves enhanced checks ensuring that camera extensions can only access camera views tied to their authorized app context.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant privacy risk, especially in sectors handling sensitive or confidential information such as finance, healthcare, and government. Unauthorized camera access could lead to inadvertent surveillance, data leakage, or exposure of confidential meetings and information. Given the strict privacy regulations in Europe, including GDPR, exploitation of this vulnerability could result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. The impact is mainly on confidentiality, with no direct effect on system integrity or availability. Organizations with employees using macOS devices, particularly those running versions prior to Sonoma 14, are at risk. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation but insider threats or social engineering could facilitate attacks. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in macOS devices within corporate environments, affecting remote work and BYOD policies.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to macOS Sonoma 14 or later to apply the patch that fixes this vulnerability. Until updates are deployed, organizations should restrict installation of untrusted or third-party camera extensions and monitor for unusual camera access behaviors. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting unauthorized camera usage. Educate users about the risks of granting camera permissions and encourage vigilance against suspicious apps requesting camera access. Employ mobile device management (MDM) tools to enforce security policies restricting camera extension installations and permissions. Regularly audit installed applications and extensions for compliance with security policies. Consider disabling camera access on devices where it is not necessary. Finally, maintain up-to-date inventories of macOS devices and their patch status to ensure timely remediation.