CVE-2024-44135 is a permissions vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application running within an App Sandbox container to access protected files that should be restricted. The App Sandbox is a macOS security feature designed to limit app capabilities and isolate them from sensitive system resources and user data. This vulnerability arises from insufficient enforcement of sandbox restrictions, specifically a permissions issue classified under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions). An app with limited privileges (local access with low privileges) can exploit this flaw to read files that are meant to be protected within the sandbox environment, thereby breaching confidentiality. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and does not affect system integrity or availability, but it can lead to unauthorized data disclosure. Apple fixed this issue by implementing additional sandbox restrictions in macOS Sonoma 14.7 and macOS Sequoia 15. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and high confidentiality impact. No public exploits have been reported, indicating limited current exploitation but a potential risk if leveraged by malicious actors. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where sensitive data is stored or processed on macOS devices, including corporate and creative sectors.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-44135 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential information stored within sandboxed applications on macOS devices. This could include intellectual property, personal data protected under GDPR, or other sensitive corporate information. The breach of confidentiality could lead to compliance violations, reputational damage, and potential financial penalties. Since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, operational disruption is unlikely. However, the ability for a low-privilege app to bypass sandbox protections undermines a critical security boundary, increasing the risk surface for insider threats or malware that gains initial foothold with limited privileges. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, media, and government that rely on macOS systems for sensitive workloads are particularly at risk. The absence of known exploits suggests a window for proactive mitigation before widespread exploitation occurs.

1. Apply the latest macOS updates immediately, specifically upgrading to macOS Sonoma 14.7 or Sequoia 15 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Enforce strict application control policies to limit installation and execution to trusted and verified apps, reducing the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. 3. Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of monitoring file access patterns within sandboxed environments to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Educate users and administrators about the risks of installing untrusted software and the importance of applying OS updates promptly. 5. Consider implementing additional data protection measures such as encryption of sensitive files within sandbox containers to add a layer of defense in depth. 6. Regularly audit macOS devices for compliance with security policies and review sandbox configurations to ensure no unauthorized modifications weaken protections.