CVE-2024-44192 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s macOS and other Apple operating systems, including watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and visionOS, as well as the Safari browser. The flaw arises from insufficient validation when processing web content, which can be maliciously crafted to trigger an unexpected process crash. This vulnerability falls under CWE-400, indicating it is related to resource exhaustion or denial of service conditions. Specifically, when a user interacts with malicious web content, the affected process may crash unexpectedly, leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, reflecting a medium severity level. The vector indicates that the attack can be performed remotely over the network (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), does not require privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is limited to availability (A:H) with no confidentiality or integrity impact. Apple has addressed this issue by implementing improved input validation and checks in the latest versions of their operating systems (macOS Sequoia 15, iOS 18, etc.) and Safari 18. No public exploits have been reported, and the vulnerability was published in March 2025. The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers hosting or injecting malicious web content that, when accessed by a user on an affected Apple device, causes the targeted process to crash, potentially disrupting user activities or critical services relying on these platforms.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-44192 is a denial of service resulting from process crashes on Apple devices. This could disrupt business operations, especially for organizations heavily reliant on Apple ecosystems for daily workflows, including sectors such as finance, healthcare, media, and government agencies. The vulnerability could be exploited to target specific users or systems by delivering malicious web content via email, websites, or other web-based vectors, causing application or system instability. While the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, repeated exploitation could degrade service availability, impact productivity, and potentially cause reputational damage if critical services are interrupted. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using Apple devices are particularly at risk of exposure. Additionally, any Apple-based infrastructure components or kiosks could be affected. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity score and ease of exploitation via user interaction warrant prompt attention.

European organizations should prioritize updating all Apple devices and software to the latest patched versions: macOS Sequoia 15, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, tvOS 18, and Safari 18. Deploy centralized patch management solutions to ensure timely updates across all endpoints. Educate users to avoid interacting with suspicious or untrusted web content and emails, as exploitation requires user interaction. Implement network-level protections such as web filtering and intrusion prevention systems to block access to known malicious sites or content. Monitor logs and endpoint behavior for signs of repeated process crashes or instability that could indicate exploitation attempts. For critical systems, consider application whitelisting or sandboxing to limit the impact of process crashes. Maintain regular backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential denial of service incidents. Coordinate with Apple support channels for any additional guidance or emergency patches.