CVE-2024-40802 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, affecting multiple versions including Sonoma, Monterey, and Ventura prior to their respective patched releases (14.6, 12.7.6, and 13.6.8). The vulnerability arises due to insufficient privilege checks within the operating system, allowing a local attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) to elevate their privileges without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects a high-severity issue with a low attack complexity (AC:L) and local attack vector (AV:L). Successful exploitation could grant an attacker full control over the system, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a significant risk, especially in environments where multiple users share access or where attackers can gain initial footholds with limited privileges. Apple has addressed the issue by implementing improved privilege checks in the specified macOS versions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management), indicating a failure in enforcing correct access control policies. This flaw underscores the importance of timely patching and strict local access controls to prevent privilege escalation attacks that could lead to broader system compromise.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-40802 can be substantial. Organizations relying on macOS devices for sensitive operations, including government agencies, financial institutions, and technology companies, face risks of unauthorized privilege escalation leading to data breaches, system manipulation, or disruption of services. The ability for a local attacker to gain elevated privileges without user interaction increases the risk of insider threats or attacks following initial compromise via other vectors. This could result in exposure of confidential information, unauthorized changes to system configurations, or deployment of persistent malware. The vulnerability also poses risks to organizations using macOS in critical infrastructure sectors, where system integrity and availability are paramount. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in Europe, especially in countries with high technology adoption, the threat could affect a broad range of sectors. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future exploitation, emphasizing the need for proactive mitigation.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Immediately apply the security updates released by Apple for macOS Sonoma 14.6, Monterey 12.7.6, and Ventura 13.6.8 to all affected systems. 2) Enforce strict local access controls to limit the number of users with local login capabilities, reducing the attack surface for local privilege escalation. 3) Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for unusual privilege escalation activities or suspicious local behavior. 4) Conduct regular audits of user privileges and system logs to detect potential misuse or attempts to exploit privilege escalation. 5) Educate users about the risks of local attacks and the importance of reporting suspicious activity promptly. 6) For environments with shared macOS devices, consider additional hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary services and restricting software installation rights. 7) Maintain an up-to-date asset inventory to ensure all macOS devices are identified and patched promptly. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and organizational practices tailored to the local nature of the threat.