CVE-2024-23232 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically addressed in macOS Sonoma 14.4. The flaw stems from improper handling of temporary files, which could allow a malicious application to capture the user's screen without proper authorization. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-922 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) and involves the app exploiting temporary file management to gain unauthorized screen capture capabilities. The attack vector requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is limited to confidentiality (C:L) with no integrity or availability impact. Although the CVSS score is low (3.3), the privacy risk is significant because screen capture can expose sensitive information displayed on the user's screen. No known exploits are currently in the wild, and the vulnerability was publicly disclosed in March 2024. The fix involves improved handling of temporary files to prevent unauthorized screen capture. Organizations running macOS versions prior to 14.4 are vulnerable and should apply updates promptly. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure temporary file management in preventing unauthorized data access on endpoint devices.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-23232 is the potential unauthorized capture of sensitive screen content by malicious applications. This could lead to leakage of confidential information such as personal data, intellectual property, or sensitive communications, impacting privacy compliance obligations under regulations like GDPR. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could damage organizational reputation and lead to regulatory penalties. The requirement for local access and user interaction reduces the likelihood of widespread exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users may install untrusted software or fall victim to social engineering. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government, which handle highly sensitive data on macOS devices, are particularly at risk. The impact is mitigated by the availability of a patch in macOS Sonoma 14.4, but organizations with delayed patching cycles or unmanaged macOS endpoints remain vulnerable.

To mitigate CVE-2024-23232, European organizations should: 1) Immediately update all macOS devices to version 14.4 or later where the vulnerability is fixed. 2) Enforce strict application installation policies to prevent unauthorized or untrusted apps from running, leveraging Apple’s notarization and Gatekeeper features. 3) Educate users about the risks of installing unknown software and the importance of avoiding suspicious links or downloads that could lead to malicious app installation. 4) Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for unusual screen capture activities or unauthorized temporary file access. 5) Regularly audit and restrict local user privileges to minimize the risk of malicious app execution. 6) Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools to enforce security policies and ensure timely patch deployment across all macOS endpoints. 7) Monitor for indicators of compromise related to screen capture or data exfiltration attempts. These targeted measures go beyond generic patching advice and address the specific exploitation vector and operational context of this vulnerability.