CVE-2024-44260 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that permits a malicious application possessing root privileges to alter the contents of system files. The root cause was a piece of vulnerable code within the operating system that allowed such modifications, which could compromise system integrity and potentially lead to further exploitation or persistence mechanisms. Apple addressed this vulnerability by removing the vulnerable code in updates macOS Ventura 13.7.1 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.1. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.7, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This means the attack requires local access with low complexity, high privileges (root), no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Since exploitation requires root privileges, the vulnerability is not a direct privilege escalation vector but allows an attacker who already controls root to modify system files, potentially hiding malicious activity or disrupting system operations. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited active exploitation. However, the potential impact on system stability and security is significant if exploited. The vulnerability affects unspecified macOS versions prior to the patched releases, so organizations running older versions are at risk. The fix involves updating to the latest patched macOS versions where the vulnerable code has been removed.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-44260 centers on the risk posed by malicious applications that have already obtained root privileges. Such an attacker could modify critical system files, undermining system integrity and potentially leading to persistent backdoors, data corruption, or denial of service. This could affect confidentiality by allowing tampering with security controls or logs, integrity by altering system binaries or configurations, and availability by destabilizing the system. Organizations relying on macOS for critical infrastructure, development, or operational environments could face operational disruptions or data breaches. The medium severity reflects the prerequisite of root access, limiting the attack surface to scenarios where an attacker has already bypassed other security controls. Nonetheless, the vulnerability emphasizes the importance of defense-in-depth and strict control over root access. European enterprises with macOS endpoints, especially in sectors like finance, technology, and government, should consider this vulnerability a significant risk if unpatched. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate future risk, especially given the high value of macOS systems in certain European markets.

1. Apply the security updates macOS Ventura 13.7.1 or macOS Sonoma 14.7.1 immediately to remove the vulnerable code. 2. Restrict root access strictly to trusted administrators and processes; implement strong authentication and auditing for root-level actions. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring system file integrity and alerting on unauthorized changes. 4. Use macOS system integrity protection (SIP) features and ensure they are enabled and properly configured to limit modification of system files. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on macOS endpoints to detect signs of compromise or unauthorized privilege escalations. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks of running untrusted applications with elevated privileges. 7. Implement application whitelisting and least privilege principles to reduce the likelihood of malicious apps gaining root access. 8. Monitor for unusual system behavior or file modifications that could indicate exploitation attempts.