CVE-2024-44149 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that stems from a permissions issue allowing an application to access protected user data without requiring any privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-281, which relates to improper access control. Specifically, the flaw enables unauthorized apps to bypass existing permission restrictions and read sensitive user information that should otherwise be inaccessible. Apple addressed this issue by implementing additional restrictions in macOS Sequoia 15, which is the first version to include the fix. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5, indicating a high severity level. The vector metrics (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N) show that the attack can be launched remotely over the network, requires low attack complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality with high severity, but does not affect integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, but the potential for data leakage is significant. The affected versions are unspecified, implying that all versions prior to macOS Sequoia 15 may be vulnerable. This vulnerability poses a serious privacy risk, especially for environments where sensitive user data is stored or processed on macOS devices.

For European organizations, this vulnerability threatens the confidentiality of sensitive user data on macOS devices, potentially exposing personal, financial, or intellectual property information. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government agencies that rely on macOS systems for daily operations could face data breaches leading to regulatory penalties under GDPR and reputational damage. Since exploitation requires no authentication or user interaction, attackers could remotely access protected data stealthily, increasing the risk of large-scale data exfiltration. The lack of impact on integrity and availability means systems remain operational and unaltered, which may delay detection. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS devices are particularly vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but the high CVSS score underscores the urgency of mitigation. Failure to address this vulnerability promptly could result in unauthorized data disclosures and compliance violations across Europe.

European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Prioritize upgrading all macOS devices to macOS Sequoia 15 as soon as it becomes available to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2) Until patching is possible, restrict app permissions rigorously using macOS’s built-in privacy controls and Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to limit app access to sensitive data. 3) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for anomalous app behaviors indicative of unauthorized data access. 4) Conduct an inventory of all macOS devices and applications to identify potentially vulnerable systems and untrusted apps. 5) Educate users about the risks of installing unverified applications and enforce policies to prevent unauthorized software installations. 6) Implement network segmentation and data loss prevention (DLP) controls to reduce the impact of potential data exfiltration. 7) Regularly review and audit system and application logs for signs of exploitation attempts. 8) Coordinate with Apple support and security advisories to stay informed about updates and additional mitigations. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on proactive device management, monitoring, and user awareness tailored to the macOS environment.