CVE-2024-44156 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application to bypass Privacy preferences by exploiting a path deletion flaw. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) and arises because certain vulnerable code could run with privileges that allow an app to circumvent the system's privacy controls. This flaw enables an app, running with limited privileges (PR:L), to access or manipulate data that should be protected by user-configured privacy settings without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the patched releases Ventura 13.7.1 and Sonoma 14.7.1, where Apple has fixed the issue by preventing the vulnerable code from executing with elevated privileges. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.1, reflecting a high severity due to the high impact on confidentiality and integrity (C:H/I:H) and the low attack complexity (AC:L). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning an attacker must have local access to the system but does not need to trick the user into interaction. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability could be leveraged to access sensitive user data or modify protected information, undermining the privacy guarantees of macOS. This poses a significant risk for environments where sensitive or regulated data is handled on Apple devices.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to data confidentiality and integrity, particularly in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure where privacy controls are essential. An attacker with local access could bypass privacy restrictions to access sensitive personal or corporate data, potentially leading to data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), and reputational damage. The lack of required user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation once local access is obtained, increasing the threat in environments with shared or multi-user systems. Although availability is not impacted, the compromise of confidentiality and integrity can disrupt trust in IT systems and lead to costly incident response and remediation efforts. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks, especially as threat actors often reverse-engineer patches to develop exploits.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading all affected macOS systems to Ventura 13.7.1, Sonoma 14.7.1, or later versions that include the patch for CVE-2024-44156. Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and restrict installation of untrusted applications to reduce the risk of local exploitation. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and monitor for anomalous behavior that could indicate attempts to bypass privacy settings. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting privilege escalation or unauthorized access to privacy-sensitive resources. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and enforce policies that minimize local access to critical systems. Additionally, review and tighten macOS privacy preference settings and system configurations to ensure they align with organizational security policies. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly respond to any potential exploitation.