CVE-2024-44279 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that arises from an out-of-bounds read condition during the parsing of certain files. This flaw is classified under CWE-125, indicating improper bounds checking that allows reading memory outside the intended buffer. The vulnerability can be triggered when a user opens or interacts with a specially crafted file, leading to the disclosure of sensitive user information stored in memory. The issue does not require any privileges (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as opening or previewing a malicious file. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the patched releases Ventura 13.7.1 and Sonoma 14.7.1, where Apple has implemented improved input validation to prevent out-of-bounds reads. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level, with a high impact on confidentiality (C:H), no impact on integrity (I:N), and no impact on availability (A:N). The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), meaning the malicious file could be delivered remotely, for example via email or web download. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, but the vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of user data if exploited. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where sensitive or personal information is handled on macOS devices. The fix involves enhanced input validation to ensure that file parsing routines do not read beyond allocated memory buffers, thereby preventing leakage of adjacent memory contents.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality of user data on macOS devices. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government, which often handle sensitive personal or proprietary information, face increased risk if users open malicious files. The out-of-bounds read could expose credentials, personal identifiers, or other confidential information, potentially leading to privacy violations or aiding further targeted attacks. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns could be leveraged to deliver malicious files. The lack of impact on integrity and availability limits the threat to data leakage rather than system disruption or data manipulation. However, given the widespread use of macOS in European enterprises and among professionals, the potential for data exposure is significant. Failure to patch could also increase regulatory compliance risks under GDPR due to unauthorized disclosure of personal data. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as exploit code could be developed post-disclosure.

European organizations should immediately deploy the security updates macOS Ventura 13.7.1 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.1 or later to all affected devices. Until patches are applied, organizations should implement strict email and web filtering to block or quarantine suspicious attachments and files. User awareness training should emphasize caution when opening files from untrusted or unknown sources to reduce the risk of triggering the vulnerability. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect and block attempts to exploit out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and least privilege principles can limit exposure if a device is compromised. Additionally, organizations should audit macOS device inventories to identify unpatched systems and prioritize remediation. Monitoring for unusual file access or data exfiltration patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Finally, restricting the use of file preview features in mail clients or file browsers for untrusted files can reduce attack surface.