CVE-2024-44153 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application with limited privileges to access user-sensitive data due to flawed permissions logic. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, which increases the risk of silent data exposure. The issue was addressed by Apple in macOS Sonoma 14.7 and macOS Sequoia 15 through improved permissions handling, indicating that earlier versions are vulnerable. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N) indicates that the attack requires local access with low complexity and privileges but no user interaction, and it impacts confidentiality with high severity while leaving integrity and availability unaffected. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, suggesting limited active exploitation. The vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious local applications or attackers who have gained limited access to a system to extract sensitive user data, potentially including personal information, credentials, or other confidential files. This flaw underscores the importance of strict permission enforcement in operating systems to prevent unauthorized data access by less-privileged applications.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the confidentiality of sensitive user data on macOS systems, which could include personal data protected under GDPR, intellectual property, or confidential business information. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and technology that rely on macOS devices for daily operations may face data leakage risks if devices are compromised by local attackers or malicious insiders. The lack of integrity and availability impact limits the scope of damage to data exposure rather than system disruption or data manipulation. However, the ease of exploitation by low-privilege local apps means that insider threats or malware with limited access could exploit this vulnerability to harvest sensitive data. This could lead to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and loss of competitive advantage. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for prompt remediation.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading all macOS devices to Sonoma 14.7 or Sequoia 15 to ensure the vulnerability is patched. In addition, organizations should implement strict application control policies to limit the installation and execution of untrusted or unnecessary applications, reducing the attack surface. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for suspicious local application behavior that attempts to access sensitive data. Conduct regular audits of application permissions and user privileges to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. Educate users and administrators about the risks of installing unauthorized software and the importance of applying system updates promptly. For environments with sensitive data, consider additional data encryption at rest and in use to mitigate potential data exposure. Finally, maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect any anomalous access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.