CVE-2024-27881 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows unauthorized applications to access information about a user’s contacts. The root cause is insufficient private data redaction in system log entries, which could inadvertently expose sensitive contact information to apps. This vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions, specifically Sonoma 14.6, Monterey 12.7.6, and Ventura 13.6.8, where Apple has implemented fixes to improve data redaction in logs. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The impact is limited to confidentiality loss of contact information, with no integrity or availability impact. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet. The underlying weakness relates to CWE-359, which involves exposure of private information due to improper handling of sensitive data. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure logging practices and strict access controls on sensitive user data within operating systems.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-27881 is the unauthorized disclosure of contact information, which can lead to privacy violations and potential non-compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Exposure of contact data could facilitate social engineering attacks, phishing campaigns, or unauthorized profiling of individuals. Organizations handling sensitive or large volumes of contact data, such as enterprises, government agencies, and service providers, may face reputational damage and regulatory penalties if this vulnerability is exploited. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach alone is significant given the strict privacy standards in Europe. The ease of exploitation without user interaction or privileges increases the risk of widespread abuse if unpatched systems are targeted. This could also impact managed service providers and remote workforce environments where macOS devices are common. Overall, the vulnerability poses a moderate but tangible threat to data privacy and organizational trust within the European context.

European organizations should immediately deploy the macOS updates that address this vulnerability: Sonoma 14.6, Monterey 12.7.6, and Ventura 13.6.8 or later. Beyond patching, organizations should audit and restrict app permissions related to contacts and sensitive data access, ensuring only trusted applications have such privileges. Review and harden logging configurations to prevent sensitive data from being recorded or exposed unnecessarily. Implement endpoint monitoring to detect anomalous access patterns to contact information or unusual log access. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. For managed environments, enforce mobile device management (MDM) policies that control app installations and permissions. Regularly review privacy compliance frameworks to ensure that any data exposure incidents are promptly identified and reported. Finally, maintain an inventory of macOS devices and their patch status to ensure comprehensive coverage against this vulnerability.