CVE-2024-44144 is a buffer overflow vulnerability identified in Apple’s macOS and other Apple operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS. The vulnerability stems from inadequate size validation when processing certain file inputs, which can lead to memory corruption. Specifically, when an application processes a maliciously crafted file, the buffer overflow can cause unexpected termination of the application, impacting system availability. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-120 (Classic Buffer Overflow). The issue was addressed by Apple through improved size validation checks in the affected OS versions: iOS 17.7.1, iPadOS 17.7.1, macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, tvOS 18, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2, as well as upcoming iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 releases. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, indicating local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, unchanged scope, no confidentiality or integrity impact, but high impact on availability. No exploits have been observed in the wild to date. The vulnerability primarily affects applications that handle file processing on Apple devices, and exploitation requires the user to open or interact with a malicious file locally. This limits remote exploitation but still poses a risk for targeted attacks or malware delivery via social engineering.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-44144 is the potential disruption of business operations due to unexpected application crashes on Apple devices. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact can interrupt workflows, especially in environments relying heavily on macOS or iOS devices for critical tasks. Industries such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often use Apple products for secure communications and operations, may experience operational delays or loss of productivity if users inadvertently open malicious files. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could leverage this vulnerability to cause denial-of-service conditions on targeted devices. Although no known exploits exist currently, the presence of this vulnerability increases the attack surface and could be leveraged in multi-stage attacks. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or remote workforces using Apple devices are particularly at risk. The impact is mitigated by the availability of patches, but delayed updates could prolong exposure.

European organizations should prioritize deploying the security updates released by Apple for all affected platforms, including macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, iOS 17.7.1, iPadOS 17.7.1, and other relevant OS versions. Patch management processes must ensure timely installation of these updates across all corporate and managed devices. Additionally, organizations should implement user awareness training to reduce the risk of users opening suspicious or unexpected files, emphasizing caution with email attachments and downloads from untrusted sources. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect and block potentially malicious files and monitor for abnormal application crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can further limit the impact by restricting which applications can process files from untrusted sources. For environments with sensitive data or critical operations, consider restricting the use of Apple devices to updated versions only and enforce strict device compliance policies. Regular vulnerability scanning and asset inventory will help identify unpatched devices. Finally, incident response plans should include procedures for handling application crashes potentially related to this vulnerability.