CVE-2024-40797 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an attacker to perform user interface (UI) spoofing by exploiting improper state management when a user visits a malicious website. UI spoofing is a technique where an attacker manipulates the graphical interface to trick users into believing they are interacting with a legitimate system prompt or application interface, potentially leading to credential theft or unauthorized actions. This vulnerability affects macOS versions prior to Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, and Sequoia 15, where the issue has been addressed through improved state management. The attack vector is remote and requires no privileges (AV:N/PR:N), but it does require user interaction (UI:R), specifically visiting a malicious website. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity by potentially deceiving users into divulging sensitive information or executing unintended commands, though it does not affect availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1, reflecting a medium severity level. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The vulnerability is significant because macOS is widely used in enterprise environments, and UI spoofing can be a precursor to more severe social engineering or phishing attacks. The fix involves improved state management to prevent the UI from being manipulated by malicious web content. Organizations should ensure all macOS devices are updated to the patched versions to mitigate this risk.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of user interactions on macOS devices. Attackers could leverage UI spoofing to trick users into revealing credentials, authorizing malicious actions, or installing malware, which could lead to broader compromise of corporate networks. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, which often use macOS devices and handle sensitive data, are particularly at risk. The medium severity indicates a moderate risk, but the ease of exploitation via a simple website visit and the widespread use of macOS in Europe elevate the concern. The vulnerability could facilitate phishing campaigns or targeted attacks against high-value users, potentially undermining trust and causing operational disruptions. Although availability is not impacted, the potential for data leakage or unauthorized access could have regulatory and reputational consequences under GDPR and other European data protection laws.

1. Immediately apply the security updates provided in macOS Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, and Sequoia 15 to all affected devices to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Implement strict browser security policies, including disabling or restricting JavaScript execution on untrusted websites, and use browser extensions that block malicious content. 3. Educate users about the risks of phishing and UI spoofing attacks, emphasizing caution when interacting with unexpected prompts or websites. 4. Employ network-level protections such as web filtering and DNS security to block access to known malicious domains. 5. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous user interface behaviors or suspicious web activity. 6. Regularly audit and monitor macOS devices for signs of compromise or unusual user activity. 7. Encourage the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the impact of credential theft resulting from UI spoofing.