CVE-2024-40823 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS operating systems that allows an application with limited privileges to access sensitive user data improperly. The root cause is insufficient access control checks within the OS, which fail to adequately restrict app access to confidential information. This vulnerability falls under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The issue affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: macOS Sonoma 14.6, Monterey 12.7.6, and Ventura 13.6.8, where Apple implemented improved checks to mitigate the risk. According to the CVSS v3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N), exploitation requires local access (local attack vector) and low privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction is needed (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) with no impact on integrity or availability. This means an attacker who can run a local app with limited privileges could potentially extract sensitive user data without alerting the user or requiring further interaction. No public exploits or active exploitation in the wild have been reported as of the publication date. The vulnerability highlights the importance of strict access control enforcement within macOS to protect user data from unauthorized local applications.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-40823 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS endpoints. This could include personal information, credentials, or confidential business data stored or accessible on affected devices. Since the vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, it poses a risk mainly from insider threats, compromised user accounts, or malicious software already present on the system. The lack of required user interaction increases the stealthiness of potential exploitation. Organizations with a significant number of macOS devices, especially in sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and government, could face data confidentiality breaches leading to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), reputational damage, and potential financial losses. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so it is less likely to cause operational disruptions but remains a critical privacy concern.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation measures: 1) Promptly update all macOS devices to the fixed versions: Sonoma 14.6, Monterey 12.7.6, or Ventura 13.6.8 to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2) Enforce strict application control policies using Apple’s built-in tools such as Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection to limit the execution of untrusted or unauthorized applications. 3) Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for unusual local app behaviors that attempt to access sensitive data. 4) Apply the principle of least privilege by restricting user accounts and app permissions to minimize the risk of local privilege exploitation. 5) Conduct regular audits of installed applications and remove any unnecessary or suspicious software. 6) Educate users about the risks of installing unverified applications and the importance of maintaining updated systems. 7) For highly sensitive environments, consider additional data encryption at rest and in use to reduce the impact of unauthorized data access. These measures collectively reduce the attack surface and limit the potential for exploitation of this vulnerability.