CVE-2024-44131 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS related to improper validation of symbolic links (symlinks), categorized under CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access). This flaw allows a local application with limited privileges (PR:L) to potentially access sensitive user data without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability arises because the system fails to correctly validate symlinks, enabling an attacker-controlled app to redirect file operations to unauthorized locations containing sensitive information. The issue affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the release of macOS Sequoia 15, where the vulnerability was addressed by enhancing symlink validation mechanisms. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with an attack vector of local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and no impact on integrity or availability but high impact on confidentiality (C:H/I:N/A:N). No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability poses a risk of data leakage if a malicious app is installed on the system. The fix is included in macOS Sequoia 15, as well as iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, indicating a cross-platform issue in Apple’s operating systems. This vulnerability underscores the importance of robust symlink validation to prevent unauthorized file access by local applications.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-44131 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS systems. This could include personal information, credentials, or proprietary data accessible to local applications exploiting the symlink validation flaw. While the vulnerability does not allow remote exploitation or affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach risk is significant, especially in environments where sensitive data is stored on user devices. Organizations with macOS endpoints used by employees, particularly in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government, could face data privacy violations and compliance issues under GDPR if sensitive data is exposed. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers could develop local privilege escalation or data exfiltration techniques leveraging this vulnerability. The medium severity suggests a moderate but actionable risk that requires timely patching and endpoint security controls to prevent exploitation.

1. Apply patches promptly by upgrading all macOS devices to macOS Sequoia 15 or later, which includes the fix for this vulnerability. 2. Restrict installation of applications to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store or enterprise-approved software repositories to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting the flaw. 3. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting suspicious local app behaviors, including unauthorized file access attempts via symlinks. 4. Enforce strict user privilege management to limit the ability of local apps to access sensitive directories or files. 5. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and monitor for unusual file system activities related to symlink usage. 6. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted software and the importance of applying system updates promptly. 7. For high-security environments, consider application sandboxing and enhanced file system permissions to further restrict app access to sensitive data.