CVE-2024-40807 is a logic vulnerability identified in Apple macOS shortcuts that allows certain shortcut actions to access sensitive data without prompting the user for permission. The root cause is an improper authorization check within the shortcut execution framework, which fails to enforce user consent before granting access to confidential information. This flaw affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: Sonoma 14.6, Monterey 12.7.6, and Ventura 13.6.8. The vulnerability requires an attacker to have low-level privileges on the affected system but does not require user interaction, making it possible for malicious shortcuts to silently exfiltrate sensitive data. The CVSS v3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N) indicates that the attack vector is local, with low attack complexity and low privileges required, no user interaction needed, unchanged scope, and a high impact on confidentiality but no impact on integrity or availability. Although no active exploits have been reported, the vulnerability represents a significant privacy risk, especially in environments where shortcuts are widely used to automate workflows. Apple addressed the issue by improving the authorization checks in the shortcut system, and users are advised to update to the fixed versions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-285 (Improper Authorization), highlighting the failure to properly restrict access to sensitive data.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data on macOS devices, potentially leading to data breaches or leakage of confidential information. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government agencies, which often handle sensitive personal or corporate data, could be particularly affected. The lack of user prompts during exploitation increases the risk of stealthy data exfiltration, complicating detection and response efforts. Organizations relying heavily on macOS for endpoint devices or automation via shortcuts may face increased exposure. While the attack requires local access with low privileges, insider threats or malware that gains limited system access could exploit this vulnerability to escalate data access without raising user suspicion. This could undermine compliance with European data protection regulations such as GDPR, leading to legal and reputational consequences. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not critical, it warrants timely remediation to prevent potential exploitation.

1. Immediately apply the security updates released by Apple: macOS Sonoma 14.6, Monterey 12.7.6, and Ventura 13.6.8 or later versions. 2. Audit and restrict the use of shortcuts within the organization, especially those sourced from untrusted or unknown origins. 3. Implement endpoint security controls to monitor and restrict the execution of unauthorized shortcuts or scripts. 4. Educate users about the risks of running shortcuts that request access to sensitive data and encourage cautious behavior. 5. Employ application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques to limit the capabilities of shortcuts and other automation tools. 6. Monitor system logs and security alerts for unusual shortcut activity or unauthorized data access attempts. 7. Review and enforce strict access controls and privilege management to minimize the number of users with local access rights. 8. Incorporate this vulnerability into the organization's vulnerability management and incident response plans to ensure rapid detection and remediation if exploited.