CVE-2024-44257 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS operating systems that allows a local application to access sensitive user data due to insufficient redaction of such information. The flaw stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the OS, where certain information that should be redacted remains accessible to apps running on the system. This vulnerability does not require elevated privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N), but it does require local access (AV:L), meaning an attacker must have an app installed or running on the target machine. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the release of Ventura 13.7.1 and Sonoma 14.7.1, where Apple implemented improved redaction mechanisms to address the issue. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.2, indicating a medium severity level, with a high impact on confidentiality (C:H), but no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The weakness is classified under CWE-922, which relates to improper restriction of sensitive information. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability highlights a risk where malicious or compromised local applications could extract sensitive user data without requiring elevated permissions or user consent, potentially leading to privacy breaches or data leakage. The patch involves enhanced redaction of sensitive information to prevent unauthorized access by local apps.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. Organizations with employees or infrastructure relying on Apple hardware and software could face confidentiality breaches, potentially exposing personal data, credentials, or proprietary information. This could lead to privacy violations under GDPR and other data protection regulations, resulting in legal and financial repercussions. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. However, the ease of exploitation by any local app without requiring privileges or user interaction increases the attack surface, especially in environments where endpoint security controls are weak or where users install untrusted applications. Organizations in sectors handling sensitive data—such as finance, healthcare, and government—are particularly at risk. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future attacks. Prompt patching and monitoring of local app behavior are critical to mitigate potential data leakage.

1. Immediately update all macOS devices to Ventura 13.7.1, Sonoma 14.7.1, or later versions where the vulnerability is fixed. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and restrict installation of untrusted or unnecessary local applications to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. 3. Use endpoint protection solutions capable of monitoring and controlling app access to sensitive data and system resources. 4. Conduct regular audits of installed applications and their permissions to ensure no unauthorized apps have access to sensitive information. 5. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified software and encourage adherence to organizational security policies. 6. Employ data loss prevention (DLP) tools to detect and block unauthorized data access or exfiltration attempts. 7. Monitor system logs and behavior analytics for unusual local app activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Coordinate with Apple support channels for any additional guidance or updates related to this vulnerability.