CVE-2024-44273 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s macOS and other Apple operating systems, stemming from improper handling of symbolic links (symlinks). Symlinks are filesystem objects that point to other files or directories. The vulnerability allows a malicious application, without requiring privileges, to exploit this flaw by manipulating symlinks to access private information that should otherwise be inaccessible. The issue affects multiple Apple platforms including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, watchOS, and tvOS. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access), indicating that the system fails to securely resolve symlinks before accessing files, potentially leading to unauthorized data disclosure. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction (e.g., installing or running a malicious app), but no elevated privileges are needed. Apple has addressed this vulnerability by improving symlink handling in macOS Sonoma 14.7.1 and corresponding updates for other platforms (iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1, watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the moderate impact on confidentiality and the limited attack vector (local, user interaction required). There are currently no known exploits in the wild. This vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality of private information stored on affected devices, without affecting integrity or availability. The flaw could be leveraged by malicious apps to access sensitive user data, potentially leading to privacy breaches or information leakage.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or private information on Apple devices, which are widely used in corporate and personal environments. The confidentiality breach could expose intellectual property, personal data protected under GDPR, or sensitive communications. While the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the exposure of private information could lead to reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and loss of trust. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology that rely on Apple ecosystems for endpoint devices are particularly vulnerable. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users may install untrusted applications or where endpoint security is lax. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat but does not preclude future attacks, making proactive patching critical. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited in targeted attacks against high-value individuals or organizations within Europe.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Deploy the latest Apple OS updates promptly across all affected devices, including macOS Sonoma 14.7.1 and iOS/iPadOS 18.1 or later, to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2) Enforce strict application installation policies, restricting users to install apps only from trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions. 3) Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted or unknown applications and the importance of applying system updates. 4) Utilize endpoint security solutions capable of detecting suspicious local activities or unauthorized file access attempts related to symlink exploitation. 5) Conduct regular audits of device configurations and installed applications to identify and remediate potential security gaps. 6) For high-security environments, consider additional controls such as application whitelisting and enhanced monitoring of file system activities to detect anomalous symlink usage. 7) Maintain an incident response plan that includes procedures for handling potential data exposure incidents stemming from local device compromise.