CVE-2024-23224 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows a local application to access sensitive user data due to insufficient access control checks. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). It affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the patched releases. The issue requires local access (AV:L), has low attack complexity (AC:L), does not require privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact affects confidentiality (C:H) but not integrity or availability (I:N, A:N). This means an unprivileged app, with user interaction, can read sensitive data it should not access, potentially leaking confidential information. Apple fixed the vulnerability by improving access checks in macOS Sonoma 14.3 and macOS Ventura 13.6.4. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time. The vulnerability is of medium severity with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5. The technical root cause is insufficient validation of access permissions when an app attempts to access certain user data, allowing unauthorized data exposure. This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict access control enforcement in operating system components that handle sensitive information.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-23224 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS systems. This could include personal information, credentials, or other confidential data stored or accessible on affected devices. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government agencies that rely on macOS devices for sensitive operations could face increased risks of data leakage, potentially leading to compliance violations under GDPR and reputational damage. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the threat is more relevant in scenarios where attackers can trick users into running malicious apps or scripts, such as through phishing or social engineering. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so it is less likely to cause operational disruptions or data tampering. However, the confidentiality breach risk necessitates prompt remediation to prevent insider threats or targeted attacks leveraging this flaw.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to the patched versions: macOS Sonoma 14.3 or macOS Ventura 13.6.4 or later. 2. Restrict installation of applications to trusted sources, such as the Apple App Store or enterprise-approved software repositories, to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. 3. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted applications or links that could trigger exploitation attempts requiring user interaction. 4. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting suspicious local application behavior or unauthorized data access attempts. 5. Employ strict device management policies using Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools to enforce patch compliance and application control. 6. Monitor logs and user activity for unusual access patterns to sensitive data on macOS devices. 7. For high-risk environments, consider restricting local user privileges or using sandboxing technologies to limit app capabilities further.