CVE-2024-54477 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to access user-sensitive data due to insufficient validation checks within the operating system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-922, which relates to improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer or resource, leading to unauthorized data access. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved validation mechanisms in macOS Sequoia 15.2, Ventura 13.7.2, and Sonoma 14.7.2. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, indicating that exploitation requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but user interaction (UI:R) is necessary. The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). This means an attacker with local access and the ability to trick a user into interaction can extract sensitive data without modifying or disrupting system operations. No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or malware campaigns to exfiltrate sensitive information from macOS endpoints. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to the patched releases, so organizations running older macOS versions remain at risk until updated.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on macOS devices. This could include personal information, credentials, or corporate data stored or accessible on affected systems. The confidentiality breach could lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and potential reputational damage. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the threat is more relevant in environments where endpoint security is weaker, or users may be socially engineered. Sectors with high macOS usage such as creative industries, software development, finance, and academia may be particularly vulnerable. The lack of impact on integrity and availability limits the risk of system disruption or data tampering, but data leakage alone can have serious consequences. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS devices should be especially vigilant to prevent lateral movement and data exfiltration.

1. Apply the latest macOS updates immediately, specifically versions Sequoia 15.2, Ventura 13.7.2, and Sonoma 14.7.2 or later, to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Enforce strict application installation policies, allowing only trusted and vetted apps from the Apple App Store or enterprise-approved sources to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this flaw. 3. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting suspicious local activity and potential exploitation attempts. 4. Educate users on the risks of interacting with untrusted applications or prompts, emphasizing caution with unexpected requests for interaction. 5. Use macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and privacy controls to limit app access to sensitive data. 6. Monitor logs and endpoint telemetry for unusual access patterns or data exfiltration attempts. 7. For organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, enforce compliance checks and patch management to reduce exposure. 8. Consider network segmentation and least privilege principles to limit the impact of compromised endpoints.