CVE-2024-44129 is an information disclosure vulnerability in Apple macOS identified under CWE-200, indicating exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized entities. The vulnerability arises from insufficient access control checks within the operating system, allowing a local application with limited privileges (PR:L) to access sensitive user data without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning an attacker must have some level of access to the system, such as a standard user account or a sandboxed app environment. The vulnerability does not impact integrity or availability but has a high impact on confidentiality (C:H). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting medium severity due to the combination of local access requirements and the potential sensitivity of leaked data. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved access control checks in macOS Ventura 13.7 and macOS Sequoia 15, which prevent unauthorized apps from accessing protected user information. No specific affected versions were detailed, but it is implied that versions prior to these patches are vulnerable. There are no known exploits in the wild, suggesting limited current exploitation but a potential risk if attackers develop techniques to leverage this flaw. This vulnerability is particularly relevant in environments where multiple users or apps coexist, such as enterprise or creative workstations, where sensitive user data leakage could lead to privacy violations or targeted attacks.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-44129 is the potential leakage of sensitive user information from macOS devices. This could include personal data, credentials, or other confidential information stored or accessible on the system. Such data leakage can lead to privacy breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), and potential lateral movement by attackers within corporate networks. Organizations in sectors like finance, legal, media, and technology, which often use macOS devices, may face increased risks of data exposure. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or compromised user accounts could exploit this vulnerability. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time. Failure to patch could undermine trust in organizational security and lead to costly incident response and remediation efforts. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value individuals or intellectual property within European companies.

To mitigate CVE-2024-44129, European organizations should: 1) Immediately deploy macOS updates to versions Ventura 13.7 or Sequoia 15 or later, which contain the fix. 2) Enforce strict application control policies to limit installation and execution of untrusted or unnecessary local applications, reducing the attack surface. 3) Implement least privilege principles for user accounts and apps, minimizing the privileges available to local applications. 4) Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for anomalous local app behavior that could indicate attempts to access sensitive information. 5) Educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and the importance of applying system updates promptly. 6) Regularly audit macOS devices for compliance with security policies and patch levels. 7) Consider network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of any compromised local accounts. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local app privileges and monitoring internal threat vectors specific to this vulnerability.