CVE-2024-44182 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to potentially access sensitive data that is logged when a shortcut fails to launch another application. The root cause is insufficient redaction of sensitive information in system logs generated during shortcut launch failures. This flaw could enable a local application with limited privileges (PR:L) to read confidential information from these logs without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability affects multiple recent macOS versions, specifically Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, and Sequoia 15, and was addressed by Apple through enhanced redaction mechanisms to prevent sensitive data exposure. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the vulnerability's impact on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning an attacker must have local access to the system, and the attack complexity is low (AC:L). The vulnerability does not require user interaction and scope remains unchanged (S:U). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating limited active exploitation at this time. The weakness corresponds to CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor).

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information on macOS endpoints. Since the flaw allows local applications to access sensitive logged data, attackers who gain limited local access—such as through compromised user accounts or malicious insider activity—could extract confidential information without elevated privileges or user interaction. This could lead to data leakage of credentials, tokens, or other sensitive operational details, potentially facilitating further attacks or data breaches. Organizations with macOS-heavy environments, particularly in sectors handling sensitive data like finance, healthcare, and government, face increased risk. The impact is primarily on confidentiality, with no direct effect on system integrity or availability. Given the medium severity and absence of known exploits, the immediate threat level is moderate but warrants timely remediation to prevent escalation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-44182, European organizations should: 1) Deploy the latest macOS updates promptly, specifically versions Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, and Sequoia 15 or later, which contain the fix. 2) Restrict application permissions rigorously, limiting which apps can access system logs or sensitive directories to reduce the attack surface. 3) Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual local app behavior, especially attempts to access or read system logs. 4) Enforce strict user account controls and minimize local administrative privileges to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of installing untrusted applications that could exploit local vulnerabilities. 6) Regularly audit logs and system configurations to detect any unauthorized access attempts to sensitive data. These steps go beyond generic patching by focusing on reducing local attack vectors and monitoring for suspicious activity.