CVE-2024-44164 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS and related operating systems (iOS, iPadOS) that allows an application to bypass the system's Privacy preferences. Privacy preferences in macOS control access to sensitive user data and system resources, such as location, contacts, camera, microphone, and other protected services. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient enforcement of privacy checks, allowing an app with limited privileges (low privilege, requiring only local access) to circumvent these controls without requiring user interaction. This means an attacker who can run code on the device could access protected data or system capabilities that should be restricted by privacy settings. The issue affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: macOS Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, and Sequoia 15, as well as iOS and iPadOS 17.7. Apple addressed the vulnerability by implementing improved checks to enforce privacy preferences correctly. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.1, indicating a high severity level, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. This means the attack requires local access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality and integrity significantly, but not availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, but the potential for abuse exists, especially in environments where untrusted or malicious apps may be installed. The vulnerability could be leveraged to access sensitive user data or escalate privileges within the system, undermining user privacy and security.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data on Apple devices. Organizations that rely on macOS, iOS, or iPadOS devices for handling personal data, intellectual property, or critical communications could face unauthorized data exposure or manipulation. This is particularly concerning for sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, where privacy compliance (e.g., GDPR) is mandatory. The ability to bypass privacy preferences without user interaction increases the risk of stealthy data exfiltration or surveillance by malicious insiders or external attackers who gain local access. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks if compromised devices are used as footholds. The absence of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits rapidly once the vulnerability is public. Failure to patch promptly could lead to regulatory penalties and reputational damage in Europe.

European organizations should immediately deploy the security updates released by Apple for macOS Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, Sequoia 15, and iOS/iPadOS 17.7 to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should audit installed applications to ensure only trusted software is present, minimizing the risk of malicious apps exploiting this flaw. Implement strict endpoint security policies, including application whitelisting and monitoring for unusual access to privacy-protected resources. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce privacy settings and restrict installation of unauthorized apps. Conduct regular security awareness training to prevent social engineering that could lead to local code execution. For highly sensitive environments, consider network segmentation to limit the impact of compromised devices. Finally, monitor logs and system behavior for signs of privacy preference bypass attempts or unusual data access patterns.