CVE-2024-44201 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS and related Apple operating systems (iOS and iPadOS) that arises from improper memory handling when processing specially crafted files. This flaw can be triggered when a user opens or processes a maliciously crafted file, leading to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition, typically manifesting as a system or application crash. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-404, which relates to improper resource shutdown or release, indicating that the system fails to correctly handle memory resources during file processing. Apple has addressed this issue by improving memory handling in the affected components, releasing patches in macOS Ventura 13.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, iOS 18.1, and iPadOS 17.7.3 and 18.1. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, meaning the attack requires local access and user interaction but no privileges, and impacts availability only. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, reducing immediate risk but not eliminating the threat. The vulnerability primarily impacts the availability of affected systems by causing crashes, which could disrupt business operations or user productivity if exploited. The affected versions are unspecified but presumably include versions prior to the patched releases. The vulnerability is relevant to any environment where Apple macOS or iOS/iPadOS devices are used and where users might open untrusted files.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-44201 is the potential for denial-of-service conditions on Apple devices, which can disrupt business operations, especially in environments heavily reliant on macOS or iOS/iPadOS devices. This could affect sectors such as finance, technology, media, and government agencies that use Apple hardware extensively. The DoS condition could lead to temporary loss of availability of critical systems or applications, impacting productivity and potentially causing operational delays. Although the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, repeated or targeted exploitation could degrade user trust and increase support costs. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those that allow local file sharing are at higher risk since exploitation requires local access and user interaction. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate widespread impact, but the availability of patches means attackers could develop exploits over time if systems remain unpatched. Thus, European organizations should prioritize patching to maintain system stability and availability.

1. Apply the latest security updates from Apple immediately, specifically macOS Ventura 13.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, iOS 18.1, and iPadOS 17.7.3/18.1, to ensure the vulnerability is remediated. 2. Implement strict policies to restrict opening files from untrusted or unknown sources, especially on Apple devices. 3. Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files and encourage cautious behavior to reduce the likelihood of triggering the vulnerability. 4. Employ endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious files or abnormal application crashes on Apple devices. 5. Monitor system logs and crash reports for unusual activity that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. 6. For organizations with BYOD policies, enforce security baselines requiring devices to be updated to the latest OS versions before connecting to corporate resources. 7. Consider network segmentation to limit local access to critical Apple devices, reducing the attack surface. 8. Maintain regular backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential DoS incidents.