CVE-2024-23268 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to elevate its privileges through an injection flaw caused by inadequate input validation. This vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions, including Sonoma 14.4, Monterey 12.7.4, and Ventura 13.6.5, and was addressed by Apple through improved input validation mechanisms. The flaw is categorized under CWE-75 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Path Element), indicating that malicious input can manipulate system behavior to gain unauthorized access. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.4 reflects a high-severity issue with local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The impact metrics indicate high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, meaning an attacker can fully compromise the affected system. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant threat, particularly in environments where macOS devices are used for sensitive operations. The vulnerability allows an unprivileged app to bypass security controls and execute code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The fix involves patching macOS to versions 14.4, 12.7.4, or 13.6.5 or later, which include enhanced input validation to prevent injection attacks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk due to the widespread use of Apple macOS in enterprise and government environments. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and potential lateral movement within networks. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that attackers could exfiltrate data, modify system configurations, or cause denial of service. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology are particularly vulnerable due to the value of their data and the reliance on macOS devices. Additionally, the lack of required user interaction and privileges lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the likelihood of exploitation in targeted attacks or insider threat scenarios. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in supply chain attacks or to implant persistent malware, complicating incident response efforts. Organizations with remote workforces using macOS devices are at increased risk if patch management is not rigorously enforced.

European organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the macOS updates Sonoma 14.4, Monterey 12.7.4, and Ventura 13.6.5 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of unauthorized or untrusted apps. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions with behavioral analysis can help detect anomalous privilege escalation attempts. Network segmentation should be enforced to limit the impact of a compromised device. Regular auditing of installed applications and system logs can identify suspicious activity indicative of exploitation attempts. User education should emphasize the risks of installing unverified software, even on macOS. Additionally, organizations should review and tighten macOS security configurations, such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Gatekeeper settings. For environments with high security requirements, consider deploying macOS security extensions or third-party solutions that provide enhanced runtime protection. Finally, maintain an incident response plan that includes macOS-specific scenarios to ensure rapid containment and remediation if exploitation occurs.