CVE-2024-40804 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows a malicious application to access private information due to insufficient validation or checks within the operating system. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which relates to the exposure of sensitive information. The issue was addressed by Apple in macOS Sonoma 14.6 through improved checks that prevent unauthorized access to private data. The vulnerability does not require the attacker to have privileges (PR:N), but it does require user interaction (UI:R), such as running or installing a malicious application. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker needs local access to the system, for example by tricking a user into installing or executing a malicious app. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level, with a high impact on confidentiality (C:H), but no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The affected versions are unspecified, but the fix is included in macOS Sonoma 14.6, so earlier versions are vulnerable. This vulnerability could allow attackers to extract sensitive user data, potentially leading to privacy breaches or further targeted attacks. The exploitation complexity is low, but user interaction is required, limiting the attack scope somewhat. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where macOS devices are used extensively, including enterprise and governmental organizations.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-40804 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or private information stored on macOS devices. This could include personal data, corporate intellectual property, or confidential communications. Such data leakage can lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), reputational damage, and potential financial losses. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction but no privileges, social engineering or phishing campaigns could be used to trick users into executing malicious applications. Organizations with a significant macOS user base, especially in sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and government, are at higher risk. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so it is less likely to cause system outages or data tampering. However, the exposure of confidential information alone can have serious consequences, including enabling further attacks or espionage. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to version Sonoma 14.6 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement strict application control policies to prevent installation or execution of untrusted or unsigned applications, reducing the risk of malicious apps running locally. 3. Educate users about the risks of running unknown applications and the importance of verifying software sources to minimize social engineering risks. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that can monitor for suspicious local application behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Regularly audit and restrict user privileges to limit the ability to install software without administrative approval. 6. Use network segmentation and data loss prevention (DLP) tools to monitor and control sensitive data flows, mitigating the impact if data is accessed. 7. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly respond if a breach occurs. 8. Monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploits related to CVE-2024-40804 to adapt defenses accordingly.