CVE-2024-23237 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows a local application to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition by exploiting improper memory handling within the operating system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be triggered by an app running with limited privileges, making it a local attack vector. The flaw specifically impacts system availability by causing crashes or resource exhaustion, but it does not compromise confidentiality or integrity of data. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple in macOS Sequoia 15 through improved memory management techniques that prevent the triggering conditions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), low privileges required (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and impact limited to availability (A:H). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating limited active exploitation at this time. However, the vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious local users or malware to disrupt system operations, potentially affecting business continuity. The affected versions are unspecified but presumably include macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust memory handling in preventing denial-of-service conditions in modern operating systems.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-23237 is the potential disruption of services and productivity due to denial-of-service conditions on macOS systems. Organizations relying on Apple hardware for critical operations, such as creative industries, software development, education, and certain government agencies, may experience system crashes or unavailability. Although the vulnerability does not expose sensitive data or allow privilege escalation, the loss of availability can interrupt workflows and lead to operational delays. In environments where macOS devices are used for endpoint tasks or as part of hybrid IT infrastructures, the DoS could propagate indirect impacts, such as delayed responses or reduced capacity. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity rating and ease of local exploitation mean that insider threats or malware with local access could exploit this flaw. European organizations with strict uptime requirements or those operating in regulated sectors should prioritize patching to mitigate potential service interruptions.

To mitigate CVE-2024-23237, European organizations should: 1) Promptly update all macOS devices to macOS Sequoia 15 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. 2) Implement strict application whitelisting and endpoint protection to prevent untrusted or malicious apps from running locally. 3) Enforce least privilege principles to limit the ability of local users or processes to execute potentially harmful code. 4) Monitor system logs and application behavior for signs of abnormal crashes or resource exhaustion that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and encourage reporting of unusual system behavior. 6) In high-security environments, consider isolating macOS systems or restricting local app installation to reduce attack surface. 7) Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential DoS incidents. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local app execution and monitoring for availability impacts specific to this vulnerability.