CVE-2023-42828 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS systems, specifically addressed in macOS Ventura 13.5. The vulnerability allows a local application to escalate its privileges to root level, which means an attacker could gain full administrative control over the affected system. The vulnerability arises from a flaw in the system's privilege management code, which Apple has mitigated by removing the vulnerable code path. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 reflects a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges required initially, though user interaction is needed. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have some form of access to the system, such as executing a malicious app or code. The vulnerability allows complete compromise of the system, enabling an attacker to install malware, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or disrupt system availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the potential for exploitation remains significant given the severity and impact. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to Ventura 13.5, so any organization running older versions is at risk. Since macOS is widely used in enterprise and consumer environments, especially in creative, technology, and administrative sectors, this vulnerability poses a critical risk if unpatched.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-42828 can be substantial. Organizations relying on macOS systems for critical operations—such as government agencies, financial institutions, technology firms, and creative industries—could face severe consequences if this vulnerability is exploited. An attacker gaining root privileges could exfiltrate sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, disrupt business operations, or implant persistent malware for espionage or sabotage. The compromise of administrative systems could lead to lateral movement within networks, increasing the risk of widespread breaches. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, exploitation could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational downtime. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or social engineering attacks could facilitate exploitation. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate it, especially as threat actors often develop exploits rapidly after disclosure.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading all macOS systems to Ventura 13.5 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies to prevent execution of unauthorized or untrusted applications, reducing the risk of local exploitation. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts and anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation. User education is critical to mitigate social engineering risks that could lead to execution of malicious apps. Additionally, organizations should enforce the principle of least privilege, limiting user permissions to reduce the impact of potential exploitation. Regular auditing of macOS systems for compliance with security policies and timely application of security updates is essential. Network segmentation can also help contain potential breaches originating from compromised macOS endpoints. Finally, organizations should maintain incident response plans that include scenarios involving macOS privilege escalation to ensure rapid containment and remediation.