CVE-2024-54491 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows a malicious application to determine a user's current geographic location by exploiting improper sanitization of logging data. The root cause lies in the logging mechanism that inadvertently records sensitive location information without adequate sanitization, enabling an attacker with a malicious app to extract this data. The vulnerability requires local access, meaning the attacker must have the ability to run code on the target macOS system, and user interaction is necessary to execute the malicious application. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), attack complexity is low (AC:L), no privileges are required (PR:N), but user interaction is needed (UI:R). The impact is primarily on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The vulnerability was resolved in macOS Sequoia 15.2 by sanitizing the logging outputs to prevent leakage of location data. There are no known exploits in the wild, indicating limited or no active exploitation currently. This vulnerability highlights the risks associated with logging sensitive information and the importance of proper data sanitization in system logs to protect user privacy.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-54491 is the unauthorized disclosure of a user's current location, which compromises user privacy and confidentiality. For organizations, this can lead to privacy violations, potential regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and targeted attacks based on location data. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the exposure of location information can facilitate further social engineering, physical security risks, or stalking. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the risk is mitigated somewhat by these barriers, but insider threats or users tricked into running malicious apps remain a concern. Enterprises with macOS deployments, especially those handling sensitive or classified information, may face increased risk if attackers leverage this vulnerability to track or profile employees. The absence of known exploits suggests a window of opportunity for defenders to patch and harden systems before active attacks emerge.

To mitigate CVE-2024-54491, organizations should promptly update all macOS devices to version Sequoia 15.2 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed by sanitizing logging outputs. Restricting the installation of applications to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store or enterprise-approved software reduces the risk of malicious apps gaining local execution. Employ endpoint protection solutions that monitor for suspicious application behavior and local privilege escalation attempts. Educate users about the risks of running untrusted applications and the importance of verifying app sources. Implement strict access controls and least privilege principles to limit who can install or execute software locally. Additionally, auditing and monitoring system logs for unusual access patterns or attempts to read sensitive logs can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review privacy policies and compliance requirements related to location data to ensure adequate protections are in place.