CVE-2024-44284 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in Apple macOS that arises when the operating system parses a maliciously crafted file. The root cause is insufficient input validation leading to memory corruption, specifically an out-of-bounds write, which can cause an application to terminate unexpectedly. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-787, indicating a classic out-of-bounds write error. The issue affects macOS versions prior to Ventura 13.7.1 and Sonoma 14.7.1, where Apple has implemented improved input validation to prevent this condition. The vulnerability requires no privileges to exploit (AV:N), has low attack complexity (AC:L), does not require authentication (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R) such as opening or processing a malicious file. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable application and does not extend beyond it. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity primarily due to the impact on availability (A:H) with no confidentiality or integrity impact. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the potential for denial of service through application crashes exists. This vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to disrupt business operations or cause denial of service conditions on macOS systems by tricking users into opening malicious files.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-44284 is on availability, as exploitation causes unexpected application termination leading to potential denial of service. Organizations relying on macOS for critical business functions, especially those processing untrusted files or receiving files from external sources, may experience operational disruptions. While confidentiality and integrity are not directly impacted, repeated crashes could degrade user productivity and potentially affect service continuity. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies using macOS devices for sensitive operations may face increased risk of disruption. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies that include macOS devices could see increased exposure. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the ease of exploitation through user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could trigger this vulnerability. Overall, the impact is moderate but warrants timely remediation to maintain operational stability.

To mitigate CVE-2024-44284, European organizations should prioritize deploying the security updates macOS Ventura 13.7.1 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.1 or later, which contain the fix for this vulnerability. Organizations should enforce strict patch management policies to ensure all macOS devices are updated promptly. Additionally, implement application whitelisting and restrict the execution of untrusted or unsolicited files, especially those received via email or downloaded from the internet. User awareness training should emphasize caution when opening files from unknown or untrusted sources to reduce the risk of exploitation via social engineering. Network-level protections such as email filtering and sandboxing of attachments can further reduce exposure. For high-security environments, consider restricting macOS device usage to vetted applications and files only. Monitoring for unusual application crashes on macOS endpoints can help detect attempted exploitation. Finally, maintain regular backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from any denial of service caused by this vulnerability.