CVE-2024-44181 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that stems from inadequate handling of temporary files, which results in an application being able to access sensitive location information without proper authorization. The flaw is categorized under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The vulnerability affects multiple recent macOS versions: Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, and Sequoia 15. The technical root cause involves temporary files that store location data being accessible to apps with limited privileges, allowing them to read this sensitive information. According to the CVSS v3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N), exploitation requires local access with low complexity and low privileges, no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality with a high impact rating, but does not affect integrity or availability. The vulnerability was reserved in August 2024 and published in September 2024, with no known exploits in the wild to date. Apple addressed the issue by improving the handling of temporary files to prevent unauthorized access to location data. This vulnerability primarily threatens user privacy by exposing location information, which could be leveraged for tracking or profiling users without their consent.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-44181 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive location data from macOS devices. This can lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and reputational damage. Organizations that rely on macOS for mobile or desktop endpoints, especially those handling sensitive or location-dependent data, face increased risk of data leakage. Since the vulnerability requires local access with limited privileges, insider threats or compromised user accounts could exploit this flaw to gather location intelligence. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach alone can have serious consequences, particularly for sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure where location privacy is paramount. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time.

European organizations should prioritize updating all affected macOS devices to versions Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, or Sequoia 15 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict local access controls and limit app permissions to the minimum necessary, especially for apps that can access location services or temporary files. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious local activity that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and remove or restrict apps that do not have a clear business need for location data. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted software and the importance of maintaining updated systems. For highly sensitive environments, consider implementing device management policies that restrict local user privileges and enforce application whitelisting. Finally, maintain an incident response plan that includes procedures for handling potential data exposure incidents related to location information.