CVE-2024-44210 is a security vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to bypass normal permissions checks and access user-sensitive data. The root cause lies in insufficient enforcement of permissions, enabling malicious or compromised apps to read data they should not have access to. This vulnerability affects macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.1, where Apple addressed the issue by improving the permissions checking mechanisms. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or authentication, meaning an attacker could exploit it by simply running a malicious app on the affected system. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of now, the potential for unauthorized data access poses a significant risk to user privacy and organizational data confidentiality. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly published and not yet fully assessed, but the nature of the flaw suggests a high impact on confidentiality. The vulnerability could be leveraged to access sensitive files, personal information, or other protected data stored on the device. This risk is particularly relevant for organizations that rely on macOS devices for handling sensitive or regulated data. The fix is included in macOS Sequoia 15.1, which enhances permission checks to prevent unauthorized data access. Organizations should prioritize patching vulnerable systems and reviewing application permissions to mitigate exploitation risks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user or corporate data, potentially violating data protection regulations such as GDPR. The confidentiality impact is significant because sensitive personal or business information could be accessed by malicious applications without user consent. This could result in data breaches, loss of customer trust, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. The integrity and availability impacts are less direct but could arise if attackers leverage accessed data to further compromise systems. Organizations with macOS-based infrastructure, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government, are at heightened risk. The ease of exploitation—requiring no authentication or user interaction—amplifies the threat, making it easier for attackers to deploy malicious apps within an organization’s environment. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk but does not diminish the urgency to patch, as threat actors may develop exploits rapidly once details are public. Overall, the vulnerability poses a high risk to confidentiality and privacy for European entities using affected macOS versions.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. 2. Audit and restrict application permissions rigorously, ensuring that only trusted apps have access to sensitive data. 3. Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized or unvetted apps from running on organizational devices. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual file access patterns or permission escalations on macOS systems. 5. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and enforce policies that limit software installation rights. 6. Regularly review and update security policies to incorporate macOS-specific controls and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. 7. Monitor security advisories from Apple and threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploit activity related to this vulnerability. 8. Consider network segmentation and data encryption to reduce the impact of potential data exposure. These steps go beyond generic patching advice by emphasizing proactive permission management, monitoring, and user awareness tailored to macOS environments.