CVE-2024-27882 is a permissions-related vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application with limited privileges to modify protected parts of the file system. The root cause is a permissions issue that Apple has addressed by implementing additional restrictions in macOS Sonoma 14.6, Monterey 12.7.6, and Ventura 13.6.8. The vulnerability requires local access with some privileges (low privilege level) but does not require user interaction, making it potentially exploitable by malicious software or insiders who have gained limited access to the system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.4 (medium), reflecting the local attack vector, low complexity, and limited impact on confidentiality and integrity, with no impact on availability. While no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ability to modify protected file system areas could allow attackers to alter system files, potentially bypassing security mechanisms or persisting on the system. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions, though the exact affected versions are unspecified beyond the fact that the issue is fixed in the stated patched releases. This vulnerability underscores the importance of strict file system permission enforcement in modern operating systems to prevent unauthorized modifications that could compromise system integrity.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-27882 lies in the potential compromise of system integrity on macOS endpoints. If exploited, attackers or malicious insiders could modify protected system files, potentially enabling persistence, privilege escalation, or disabling security controls. This could lead to increased risk of data breaches, malware persistence, or disruption of critical business operations relying on macOS systems. Organizations in sectors with high reliance on macOS devices—such as creative industries, software development, and certain government or research institutions—may face higher exposure. Although the vulnerability does not directly impact confidentiality or availability significantly, the integrity compromise could indirectly facilitate further attacks. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk, but delayed patching could increase exposure over time. Given the medium severity, organizations should prioritize patching especially in environments where macOS devices handle sensitive or critical workloads.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Deploy the latest macOS updates promptly—Sonoma 14.6, Monterey 12.7.6, and Ventura 13.6.8 or later—to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2) Restrict local user privileges rigorously to minimize the number of users or processes that can access or modify system files. 3) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unauthorized file system modifications and alerting on suspicious activity. 4) Conduct regular audits of file system integrity using tools like Apple’s System Integrity Protection (SIP) status checks and third-party integrity monitoring solutions. 5) Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications that might exploit local vulnerabilities. 6) Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized or unknown applications from executing. 7) Use macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection and Full Disk Encryption to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 8) Maintain robust backup and recovery procedures to restore systems in case of compromise. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on privilege management, monitoring, and leveraging macOS-specific security features.