CVE-2024-44152 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically addressed in the macOS Sequoia 15 update. The root cause lies in insufficient redaction of sensitive user data within system log entries, allowing an application to potentially access private information that should have been obscured. This vulnerability falls under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting a high severity primarily due to the confidentiality impact (C:H), with no requirements for privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N), and network attack vector (AV:N). This means an attacker can exploit the vulnerability remotely without authentication or user involvement. The vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability but poses a significant risk of unauthorized data disclosure. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the nature of the flaw makes it a critical privacy concern, especially for environments where sensitive data is logged or processed. The fix involves enhanced private data redaction in log entries, implemented in macOS Sequoia 15, which prevents apps from accessing sensitive information inadvertently exposed through logs. Organizations relying on macOS systems should prioritize upgrading to this version to mitigate the risk. Additionally, reviewing application permissions and logging policies can reduce the attack surface by limiting unnecessary data exposure in logs.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-44152 centers on potential breaches of confidentiality, particularly in sectors handling sensitive personal data (e.g., GDPR-regulated industries), intellectual property, or confidential communications. Unauthorized access to sensitive log data could lead to data leaks, regulatory non-compliance, reputational damage, and potential financial penalties under data protection laws. Organizations using vulnerable macOS versions in critical infrastructure, finance, healthcare, or government sectors face heightened risks. The vulnerability's network attack vector and lack of required privileges increase the likelihood of exploitation if unpatched systems are exposed. Although no integrity or availability impacts exist, the exposure of sensitive data alone can have severe consequences, including facilitating further attacks or insider threats. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity score underscores the urgency of patching and monitoring.

1. Upgrade all affected macOS systems to macOS Sequoia 15 or later, which contains the fix for this vulnerability. 2. Conduct an inventory of macOS devices within the organization to identify and prioritize patching of vulnerable systems. 3. Review and tighten application permissions to restrict access to logs and sensitive data, minimizing the risk of unauthorized data exposure. 4. Audit logging configurations to ensure that sensitive information is not unnecessarily recorded or exposed in logs accessible by applications. 5. Implement network segmentation and endpoint security controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks. 6. Monitor system logs and application behavior for unusual access patterns or attempts to read sensitive log data. 7. Educate users and administrators about the importance of timely patching and the risks associated with this vulnerability. 8. Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous access to log files or sensitive data.