CVE-2024-23207 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s macOS and related operating systems (watchOS, iOS, iPadOS) that allows an application to access sensitive user data due to insufficient redaction of such information. The issue stems from a failure in properly masking or restricting sensitive data when accessed by apps, which could lead to unauthorized disclosure. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Apple’s operating systems, including macOS Sonoma 14.3, Ventura 13.6.4, Monterey 12.7.3, watchOS 10.3, iOS 17.3, and iPadOS 17.3, with patches released in these versions. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.5 (medium severity), with an attack vector of local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is needed (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). This means an attacker with local access and user interaction could potentially extract sensitive information without altering system data or causing denial of service. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, indicating limited active exploitation but a potential risk if attackers develop exploit code. The root cause involves insufficient redaction mechanisms that fail to adequately protect sensitive data when accessed by apps, which could include personal information, credentials, or other confidential content. The fix involves improved redaction techniques implemented in the latest OS updates.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of sensitive data leakage from Apple devices used within corporate environments. Confidentiality breaches could expose personal user data, corporate credentials, or proprietary information, potentially leading to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and reputational damage. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the threat is more relevant in scenarios where devices are shared, physically accessible by unauthorized personnel, or where malicious apps are installed by users. Sectors with high reliance on Apple hardware, such as creative industries, finance, and government agencies, could face increased risk. The lack of impact on integrity and availability reduces the risk of system disruption but does not diminish the importance of protecting sensitive information. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently lowers immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for vigilance. Failure to patch could allow attackers to leverage this vulnerability to harvest sensitive data, which could be used for further attacks such as phishing or social engineering.

1. Apply the latest Apple OS updates immediately: macOS Sonoma 14.3, Ventura 13.6.4, Monterey 12.7.3, watchOS 10.3, iOS 17.3, and iPadOS 17.3 contain the necessary fixes. 2. Restrict local access to Apple devices, especially in shared or public environments, to minimize the risk of unauthorized app execution. 3. Enforce strict app installation policies via Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to prevent installation of untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. 4. Educate users about the risks of installing unknown apps and the importance of user interaction in exploitation to reduce inadvertent triggering. 5. Monitor device logs and behavior for unusual access patterns to sensitive data. 6. Implement endpoint security solutions capable of detecting suspicious local activity on Apple devices. 7. Regularly audit permissions granted to apps, ensuring minimal access to sensitive data. 8. For organizations with sensitive data, consider additional encryption and data loss prevention (DLP) controls on Apple devices.