CVE-2024-27875 is a logic flaw in Apple macOS's privacy indicator system for microphone and camera access. The vulnerability arises from improper state management within the operating system, causing privacy indicators—visual cues that inform users when their microphone or camera is in use—to be incorrectly attributed. This means that the indicator might show that a trusted application is accessing these devices when in fact another, potentially malicious, application is doing so, or vice versa. The flaw does not allow direct unauthorized access to the microphone or camera but undermines the integrity of the privacy notification mechanism, which is critical for user awareness and consent. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges and does not require user interaction, making it exploitable by any local process with limited permissions. The CVSS 3.1 score is 5.5 (medium), reflecting that while confidentiality is not directly impacted, the integrity of privacy indicators is compromised. The issue is resolved in macOS Sequoia 15 through improved state management. No public exploits or active attacks have been reported to date. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where privacy and secure communications are paramount, as users may be misled about device access, potentially enabling covert surveillance or data collection.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily impacts the trustworthiness of privacy indicators on macOS devices. While it does not directly expose sensitive data or allow unauthorized device access, the incorrect attribution of microphone or camera usage indicators can lead to undetected eavesdropping or surveillance by malicious insiders or software. This undermines user confidence in privacy controls and may violate data protection regulations such as GDPR, which emphasize user consent and transparency. Sectors such as finance, legal, healthcare, and media, where confidential communications are routine, are particularly vulnerable to the indirect consequences of this flaw. Additionally, organizations relying on macOS for remote work or sensitive communications may face increased risk of covert data collection. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity and potential for misuse necessitate prompt patching and awareness. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny if privacy breaches occur.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to macOS Sequoia 15 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Until patching is complete, organizations should implement strict application whitelisting and monitoring to restrict and detect unauthorized local applications that could exploit this flaw. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring microphone and camera access patterns to identify anomalies. User training should emphasize vigilance regarding unexpected device access and encourage reporting suspicious behavior. Additionally, organizations can enforce policies that limit local user privileges to reduce the risk of exploitation by low-privilege processes. Regular audits of installed software and device access logs can help detect potential misuse. For highly sensitive environments, consider additional hardware or software-based privacy controls that do not solely rely on OS-level indicators. Finally, maintain awareness of any emerging exploit reports or patches from Apple.