CVE-2024-40770 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows a non-privileged user to modify restricted network settings due to a permissions issue (CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization). This flaw arises from insufficient access control mechanisms that fail to properly restrict network configuration changes to privileged users only. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely without requiring authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The impact is primarily on the integrity of network settings, potentially enabling an attacker to alter network configurations, redirect traffic, or bypass security controls. Confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple in macOS Sequoia 15 through additional restrictions on permissions. Although the affected versions are unspecified, organizations running macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15 are at risk. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported to date. This vulnerability is significant because network settings are critical for maintaining secure communications and enforcing network policies. Unauthorized modifications could facilitate man-in-the-middle attacks, data interception, or network segmentation bypasses. The weakness stems from an authorization bypass, highlighting the importance of strict privilege separation in OS components managing network configurations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to the integrity of network configurations on macOS devices. Unauthorized modification of network settings could lead to compromised network security, enabling attackers to redirect traffic, intercept sensitive communications, or disable security controls such as VPNs or firewalls. This is particularly critical for sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure where secure network configurations are essential for compliance and operational security. The lack of confidentiality or availability impact limits the scope somewhat, but integrity breaches in network settings can have cascading effects on overall security posture. Organizations with mixed OS environments that include macOS endpoints must consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability is publicly known. The ease of exploitation (no privileges or user interaction required) increases the urgency for mitigation.

1. Upgrade all macOS devices to macOS Sequoia 15 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement strict endpoint management policies to control and monitor user permissions, ensuring that non-privileged users cannot escalate privileges or alter network settings. 3. Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce configuration profiles that restrict network setting changes. 4. Monitor network configuration changes and audit logs for unauthorized modifications to detect potential exploitation attempts. 5. Employ network segmentation and zero-trust principles to limit the impact of compromised endpoints. 6. Educate users about the risks of unauthorized network changes and enforce least privilege principles. 7. Regularly review and update security policies related to endpoint device management and network configuration controls. 8. Consider deploying host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) that can alert on suspicious configuration changes.