CVE-2024-44236 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-Bounds Write) affecting Apple macOS systems. The root cause is insufficient bounds checking when processing certain file types, allowing an attacker to craft malicious files that trigger out-of-bounds memory access. This leads to unexpected application termination, effectively a denial-of-service condition impacting availability. The vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, as it does not allow code execution or data leakage. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring 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. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved bounds checking in macOS Ventura 13.7.1 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.1. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported. The vulnerability primarily affects users who open or process maliciously crafted files, making social engineering or phishing a likely attack vector. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and memory safety in file processing components of operating systems.

For European organizations, the primary impact is denial of service due to unexpected application crashes when processing malicious files. This can disrupt business operations, especially in environments relying heavily on macOS for critical applications such as creative industries, software development, and enterprise environments using macOS endpoints. Although the vulnerability does not lead to data breaches or privilege escalation, the availability impact can cause productivity loss and operational delays. Organizations that handle untrusted files or receive files from external sources are at higher risk. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the ease of exploitation (no privileges required and low complexity) means attackers could weaponize this vulnerability in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is negligible, but availability degradation can affect service continuity and user trust.

1. Apply the latest Apple security updates immediately, specifically macOS Ventura 13.7.1 or macOS Sonoma 14.7.1 or later versions that include the fix. 2. Implement strict email and file filtering policies to block or quarantine suspicious or untrusted file attachments. 3. Educate users on the risks of opening files from unknown or untrusted sources to reduce the likelihood of user interaction with malicious files. 4. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous application crashes or suspicious file processing behavior. 5. Use application whitelisting and sandboxing to limit the impact of application crashes and prevent cascading failures. 6. Monitor logs and system behavior for signs of repeated application terminations that could indicate exploitation attempts. 7. Consider network segmentation to isolate macOS systems handling untrusted files from critical infrastructure. 8. Maintain regular backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential denial-of-service incidents.