CVE-2023-42834 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple’s macOS and other operating systems such as watchOS, iOS, and iPadOS. The flaw arises from improper handling of files within the OS, which may allow a local application to access sensitive user data without requiring privileges or user interaction. This means that a malicious or compromised app running on the device could potentially read confidential information that should otherwise be protected. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple OS versions, including macOS Sonoma 14.1, Monterey 12.7.2, Ventura 13.6.3, watchOS 10.1, iOS 17.1, and iPadOS 17.1. Apple has remediated this issue by improving file handling mechanisms in these updates to prevent unauthorized data access. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.2 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) but does not affect integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating the vulnerability is not yet actively exploited. However, the potential for sensitive data exposure makes timely patching critical. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where local app installation is possible, including enterprise and personal devices running affected Apple OS versions.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on Apple devices. Since the exploit requires local access but no privileges or user interaction, it could be leveraged by malicious insiders, compromised applications, or attackers who gain limited access to endpoints. The confidentiality breach could lead to exposure of personal information, intellectual property, or credentials stored on affected devices. This is particularly concerning for sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology. The impact on integrity and availability is negligible, but the loss of confidentiality can have regulatory and reputational consequences under GDPR and other data protection laws. Organizations relying heavily on Apple ecosystems for endpoint devices must ensure rapid deployment of patches to mitigate this risk. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate urgency but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits over time.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Immediately deploy the security updates released by Apple for macOS Sonoma 14.1, Monterey 12.7.2, Ventura 13.6.3, watchOS 10.1, iOS 17.1, and iPadOS 17.1 across all managed Apple devices. 2) Restrict local application installation rights to trusted sources only, minimizing the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. 3) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual file access patterns or unauthorized data exfiltration attempts on Apple devices. 4) Conduct regular audits of installed applications and remove any untrusted or unnecessary software. 5) Educate users about the risks of installing unverified applications and the importance of applying OS updates promptly. 6) For highly sensitive environments, consider additional data encryption at rest and in transit to reduce the impact of potential data exposure. 7) Monitor Apple security advisories for any updates or emerging exploit reports related to CVE-2023-42834.