CVE-2024-44178 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application with limited privileges to modify protected parts of the file system. The root cause is insufficient validation of symbolic links (symlinks), which can be exploited by an app to redirect file system operations to unintended locations, thereby altering files or directories that should be protected. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), indicating that the flaw involves improper handling of memory or file system boundaries. The issue affects multiple macOS versions prior to Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, and Sequoia 15, where Apple has implemented improved symlink validation to mitigate the risk. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.5 (medium severity), with the vector indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), no confidentiality impact (C:N), high integrity impact (I:H), and no availability impact (A:N). Exploitation requires an attacker to have local access with limited privileges but does not require user interaction, making it a risk primarily from malicious or compromised local applications. While no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability could be leveraged for unauthorized modification of critical system files, potentially enabling persistence mechanisms or privilege escalation. The fix involves enhanced validation of symlinks to prevent redirection attacks and protect system integrity.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the integrity of macOS systems. Attackers with local access could modify protected system files, potentially implanting persistent malware or escalating privileges. This could compromise the trustworthiness of affected systems, disrupt operations, or facilitate further attacks. Although confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity breach can lead to significant security incidents, especially in environments where macOS devices are used for sensitive tasks or hold critical data. Organizations with macOS endpoints in development, creative industries, or executive environments may be particularly at risk. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk, especially given the medium severity and ease of local exploitation. Failure to patch could expose organizations to insider threats or malware that leverages this vulnerability to maintain persistence or evade detection.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to versions Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, or Sequoia 15, where the vulnerability is fixed. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict controls on local application installation and execution, limiting the ability of untrusted apps to run with any privileges. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous file system modifications and symlink abuses. Employ application whitelisting to restrict execution to approved software. Regularly audit system integrity and monitor for unexpected changes in protected file system areas. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and enforce least privilege principles to minimize the impact of potential local exploits. For managed environments, use Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools to enforce update policies and restrict local privilege escalations. Finally, maintain robust incident response plans to quickly address any detected exploitation attempts.