CVE-2024-44182 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows a local application with limited privileges to access sensitive information that is logged when a shortcut fails to launch another application. The root cause is inadequate redaction of sensitive data in system logs generated during shortcut launch failures. This flaw can lead to unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, potentially exposing user credentials, tokens, or other sensitive data embedded in the logs. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions prior to the patched releases: macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7, and macOS Ventura 13.7. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L) and low privileges (PR:L), with no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) but none on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information). No public exploits have been reported, but the potential for sensitive data leakage makes it a concern for organizations handling confidential information on macOS devices. The issue was resolved by improving the redaction mechanisms in the logging process to prevent sensitive data exposure.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-44182 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information from system logs on affected macOS devices. This can lead to confidentiality breaches, potentially exposing credentials, tokens, or other private data that could be leveraged for further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within a network. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the exposure of sensitive data can undermine organizational security postures and compliance with data protection regulations. Since exploitation requires local access with limited privileges, the threat is more significant in environments where multiple users share systems or where attackers have gained initial footholds with low-level access. Organizations relying heavily on macOS for critical operations, especially those in regulated industries or handling sensitive data, face increased risk. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-44182, organizations should promptly update affected macOS systems to the fixed versions: macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7, or macOS Ventura 13.7. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and reduce the risk of unauthorized local access. Monitoring and auditing of system logs should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or attempts to read sensitive logs. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can help identify suspicious activities related to shortcut failures or log access. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of running untrusted applications locally and enforce application whitelisting policies. For environments with shared macOS devices, consider segregating user accounts and applying the principle of least privilege to minimize exposure. Regularly review and sanitize logs to ensure sensitive information is not unnecessarily retained or exposed.