CVE-2024-44256 is a critical sandbox escape vulnerability in Apple macOS, identified and addressed by Apple in versions Ventura 13.7.1 and Sonoma 14.7.1. The vulnerability arises due to inadequate input sanitization within the macOS sandboxing mechanism, which is designed to isolate applications and restrict their access to system resources. An attacker-controlled application can exploit this flaw to break out of the sandbox, thereby gaining elevated privileges and potentially full control over the affected system. The vulnerability does not require any user interaction or prior authentication, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.3 reflects the vulnerability’s critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as well as its low attack complexity and lack of required privileges. Although no active exploits have been reported, the vulnerability’s nature makes it a prime target for attackers seeking to bypass macOS security controls. The fix involves improved input sanitization to prevent malicious data from triggering the sandbox escape. Organizations running macOS versions prior to the patched releases are vulnerable and should prioritize updating their systems.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on macOS devices in sensitive environments such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure sectors. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to confidential data, disruption of services, and potential lateral movement within networks. The ability to escape the sandbox means that malicious applications could execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, undermining the fundamental security model of macOS. This could facilitate data breaches, espionage, ransomware deployment, or sabotage. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in certain European countries and industries, the impact could be substantial, particularly if attackers leverage this vulnerability to target high-value assets or critical systems.

European organizations should immediately verify their macOS versions and deploy the security updates macOS Ventura 13.7.1 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.1 or later. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized or untrusted apps from executing. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous behaviors indicative of sandbox escapes or privilege escalations. Regularly audit installed applications and restrict software installation privileges to minimize exposure. Network segmentation can limit the spread of an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of installing untrusted software and maintain up-to-date backups to recover from potential compromises. Continuous monitoring of threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploits related to CVE-2024-44256 is also recommended.