CVE-2024-44190 is a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) in Apple macOS that allows an application with limited privileges to read arbitrary files on the system. The root cause is insufficient validation of file path inputs, enabling an attacker-controlled app to bypass intended access controls and access sensitive files outside its sandbox or designated directories. This vulnerability affects macOS versions prior to Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, and Sequoia 15, where Apple has implemented improved path validation to mitigate the issue. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium), with an attack vector limited to local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high confidentiality impact (C:H) but no integrity or availability impact (I:N/A:N). The vulnerability does not appear to be exploited in the wild yet. The primary risk is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in arbitrary files, which could include user data, credentials, or system configuration files. Since exploitation requires local code execution with limited privileges, remote exploitation is not feasible without prior access. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in OS-level file handling to prevent privilege escalation or data leakage. Apple’s patches address the issue by enforcing stricter validation of file paths to prevent traversal outside authorized directories.

For European organizations, the main impact of CVE-2024-44190 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored on macOS devices. This could include intellectual property, personal data protected under GDPR, credentials, or configuration files that could facilitate further attacks. While the vulnerability does not allow modification or disruption of system operations, the confidentiality breach alone can lead to compliance violations, reputational damage, and targeted follow-up attacks. Organizations with macOS endpoints used by employees or in critical infrastructure are at risk, especially if local access controls are weak or if untrusted applications are installed. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity and ease of local exploitation mean attackers with limited privileges could leverage this vulnerability to escalate data access. This is particularly relevant for sectors with high data sensitivity such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies in Europe. The vulnerability also underscores the need for strict application control and endpoint security policies to prevent installation of potentially malicious apps.

1. Immediately update all macOS systems to versions Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, or Sequoia 15 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Enforce strict application whitelisting and restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned applications to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 3. Implement endpoint protection solutions that monitor and restrict unauthorized file access attempts by applications. 4. Use macOS built-in security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and sandboxing to limit app privileges. 5. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and their permissions to detect and remove potentially risky software. 6. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified apps and the importance of maintaining updated systems. 7. For highly sensitive environments, consider additional file system encryption and access controls to protect critical data even if accessed. 8. Monitor system logs for unusual file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. These steps go beyond generic patching by focusing on reducing the attack surface and detecting potential misuse of the vulnerability.