CVE-2024-40831 is a permissions vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application with low privileges to access the user's Photos Library without requiring user interaction. The root cause is a permissions issue that did not adequately restrict app access to sensitive user data stored in the Photos Library. This vulnerability was addressed by Apple in macOS Sequoia 15 through the implementation of additional access restrictions, effectively tightening the control over which apps can read the Photos Library. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N) indicates that exploitation requires local access with low privileges, no user interaction, and results in a high confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious or compromised apps to silently exfiltrate private photos, potentially leading to privacy violations or targeted attacks. The affected macOS versions are unspecified but presumably include versions prior to Sequoia 15. The underlying CWE-281 (Improper Authorization) highlights that the vulnerability arises from insufficient enforcement of access control policies. This issue is particularly relevant for environments where macOS devices are used for sensitive or confidential work, as unauthorized photo access could expose personal or corporate information.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-40831 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive images stored in the Photos Library on macOS devices. This could lead to privacy breaches, reputational damage, and potential regulatory consequences under GDPR if personal data is exposed. Organizations in sectors such as media, creative industries, legal, healthcare, and government may be particularly vulnerable due to the nature of the data stored in photos. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges, so insider threats or malware that gains foothold on macOS endpoints could exploit this flaw to harvest sensitive images without detection. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality impact is significant enough to warrant prompt remediation. The lack of user interaction requirement increases the risk of stealthy exploitation. Since many European organizations use macOS devices, especially in professional and creative contexts, this vulnerability could be leveraged for espionage or data theft campaigns targeting European entities.

The most effective mitigation is to upgrade all affected macOS systems to macOS Sequoia 15 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed with enhanced access restrictions. Organizations should enforce strict application whitelisting and limit installation of untrusted or unnecessary apps to reduce the risk of local exploitation. Conduct audits of app permissions, specifically reviewing which apps have access to the Photos Library, and revoke permissions from apps that do not require it. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual file access patterns to the Photos Library. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted software and the importance of maintaining updated systems. For environments with high security requirements, consider disabling or restricting the Photos Library feature or isolating sensitive data from local macOS devices. Regularly review and update security policies to include controls for local privilege escalation and data access on macOS endpoints.