CVE-2024-44195 is a logic vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically addressed in the macOS Sequoia 15.1 update. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of file paths, enabling an application to bypass intended access controls and read arbitrary files on the system. This is classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory), indicating a path traversal or directory traversal flaw. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction to exploit, making it remotely exploitable by any app running on the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 reflects a high severity due to the ease of exploitation (network attack vector, low attack complexity), no privileges required, and no user interaction needed, combined with a high impact on confidentiality. The flaw allows an attacker to access sensitive files, potentially exposing confidential information such as credentials, personal data, or proprietary files. While no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk given the widespread use of macOS in enterprise and personal environments. The fix involves improved validation logic to ensure file access requests are properly constrained, preventing unauthorized file reads. Organizations running macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.1 should prioritize patching to mitigate this vulnerability.

For European organizations, this vulnerability threatens the confidentiality of sensitive data stored on macOS systems. Enterprises using macOS for development, administration, or end-user computing may face data breaches if malicious or compromised applications exploit this flaw. The ability to read arbitrary files without authentication or user interaction increases the risk of insider threats and supply chain attacks where malicious apps could silently exfiltrate data. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on macOS devices for secure operations could suffer significant data exposure, regulatory non-compliance, and reputational damage. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity score demands urgent attention. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of multi-stage attacks to gain further foothold or lateral movement within networks.

1. Immediately upgrade all macOS systems to macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Enforce strict application control policies using Apple’s built-in tools like Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection (SIP) to limit execution of untrusted or unsigned applications. 3. Implement runtime monitoring and endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying anomalous file access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Conduct thorough code reviews and security assessments for internally developed macOS applications to ensure they do not inadvertently exploit or expose this vulnerability. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of installing unverified software and the importance of timely updates. 6. Where possible, employ data encryption at rest and access controls on sensitive files to reduce the impact of unauthorized file reads. 7. Monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploits targeting this CVE to enable rapid incident response.