CVE-2024-44175 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS related to improper validation of symbolic links (symlinks), identified as CWE-922. This flaw allows an unprivileged application to bypass normal access controls and read sensitive user data by exploiting symlink validation weaknesses. The vulnerability is network exploitable (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N), making it relatively easy for an attacker to leverage remotely. The impact is a confidentiality breach (C:H) without affecting integrity or availability. Apple addressed this issue in macOS Sequoia 15 and Sonoma 14.7.1 by improving symlink validation mechanisms. The vulnerability affects unspecified earlier versions of macOS, implying a broad range of potentially vulnerable systems. Although no active exploits have been reported, the vulnerability's characteristics suggest a significant risk if weaponized. The flaw could be leveraged by malicious applications or remote attackers to access sensitive files, including personal documents, credentials, or other private data stored on the device. This vulnerability underscores the importance of secure file system operations and rigorous validation of symbolic links to prevent unauthorized data access.

For European organizations, the primary impact is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data, which can lead to privacy violations, intellectual property theft, and regulatory non-compliance, especially under GDPR. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on macOS devices are at heightened risk. The breach of confidentiality could facilitate further attacks, including social engineering or targeted espionage. Since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, direct disruption of services is unlikely; however, the loss of sensitive data can have severe reputational and financial consequences. The ease of exploitation without requiring user interaction or privileges increases the threat level, making it critical for organizations to act swiftly. Additionally, the lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before widespread exploitation occurs.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to Sequoia 15 or Sonoma 14.7.1 or later versions where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and monitoring to detect and block unauthorized or suspicious applications attempting to manipulate symlinks. 3. Conduct regular audits of file system permissions and symlink usage to identify anomalous patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring file access behaviors and alerting on unusual symlink activities. 5. Educate users and IT staff about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of timely system updates. 6. For organizations with sensitive data, consider additional encryption of user data at rest to mitigate the impact of unauthorized access. 7. Review and tighten network security controls to limit exposure of vulnerable macOS devices to untrusted networks. 8. Maintain an inventory of macOS devices and ensure compliance with patch management policies to prevent unpatched systems from remaining in production.