CVE-2024-54476 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to access user-sensitive data due to insufficient access control checks. The issue is categorized under CWE-203 (Information Exposure Through Discrepancy), indicating that the vulnerability arises from inconsistent enforcement of security policies. The flaw was addressed by Apple through improved verification mechanisms in macOS Sequoia 15.2, Ventura 13.7.2, and Sonoma 14.7.2. The CVSS v3.1 score of 5.5 reflects a medium severity, with the attack vector being local (AV:L), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) but none on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). This means an attacker with local access and the ability to trick a user into interaction could exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive data without altering or disrupting system operations. No exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited active exploitation at this time. The vulnerability affects unspecified macOS versions prior to the patched releases, implying that users running older versions remain at risk. The technical root cause is a failure to properly enforce access controls on sensitive data access requests by applications, potentially allowing unauthorized data disclosure. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where sensitive personal or corporate data is stored on macOS devices, as it could lead to privacy breaches or data leakage.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government agencies, which often handle confidential information, could be particularly impacted if attackers exploit this flaw to access personal data, intellectual property, or other sensitive information. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users may be socially engineered to run malicious apps. Data breaches resulting from this vulnerability could lead to regulatory penalties under GDPR due to compromised personal data confidentiality. Additionally, loss of trust and reputational damage may occur if sensitive corporate data is exposed. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. However, the confidentiality impact alone is significant enough to warrant urgent remediation in European organizations using affected macOS versions.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to the patched versions: macOS Sequoia 15.2, Ventura 13.7.2, or Sonoma 14.7.2. Enforce strict application installation policies, limiting installations to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store or enterprise-signed applications to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting suspicious app behaviors and monitor for unusual data access patterns on macOS devices. Conduct user awareness training focusing on the risks of running untrusted applications and the importance of prompt system updates. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce patch compliance and restrict local user permissions where feasible to minimize the attack surface. Regularly audit macOS systems for outdated versions and unauthorized software installations. Finally, maintain robust data encryption and access controls on sensitive data to provide layered defense in case of exploitation.