CVE-2024-23244 is a logic-based privilege escalation vulnerability identified in Apple macOS operating systems. The flaw arises from improper restrictions in the system's handling of user privileges following an administrator login event. Specifically, an application running under a standard user account can exploit this logic issue to escalate its privileges to those of an administrator after the admin user logs into the system. This escalation does not require user interaction, making it a stealthy attack vector. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of macOS, with Apple addressing the issue in macOS Sonoma 14.4 and macOS Monterey 12.7.4. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.7, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector string AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This means the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), high privileges (PR:H) initially, no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a high degree (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk because it allows privilege escalation from a standard user context after an admin logs in, potentially enabling unauthorized administrative control over the system. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, system modifications, or denial of service. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where multiple users share macOS devices or where standard users have access to install or run applications. The fix involves improved restrictions on privilege escalation mechanisms, which Apple has implemented in the specified patched versions.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a risk of unauthorized privilege escalation on macOS systems, potentially leading to full system compromise. Organizations with shared or multi-user macOS environments, such as educational institutions, government agencies, and enterprises with macOS deployments, are at heightened risk. The ability for a standard user app to escalate privileges after an admin login could allow attackers or malicious insiders to gain administrative control, access sensitive data, install persistent malware, or disrupt system availability. This could result in data breaches, operational disruptions, and loss of trust. Given the medium severity and the requirement for local access and an admin login event, the threat is more pronounced in environments with frequent admin user sessions and less stringent endpoint security controls. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits post-disclosure. European organizations must consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments, especially those in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure where macOS devices are in use.

1. Apply patches promptly by upgrading affected macOS systems to macOS Sonoma 14.4, macOS Monterey 12.7.4, or later versions where the vulnerability is fixed. 2. Limit the number of administrator accounts and restrict admin logins to trusted personnel only. 3. Implement strict endpoint security policies to control application execution, especially for standard user accounts, using tools such as Apple’s Endpoint Security framework or third-party EDR solutions. 4. Monitor system logs and audit privilege escalation events to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Enforce the principle of least privilege by ensuring users operate with standard accounts unless admin privileges are absolutely necessary. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks of privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of applying updates. 7. Consider deploying macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Full Disk Encryption to reduce the impact of potential exploits. 8. In environments with shared devices, implement session management controls to minimize the window of opportunity for exploitation after admin logins.