CVE-2024-54493 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS related to the privacy indicators that notify users when the microphone is being accessed. Normally, macOS displays a visual indicator to inform users which application or process is currently using the microphone, enhancing transparency and user control over privacy. However, due to improper state management in the affected versions, these indicators may be incorrectly attributed, meaning the system could show that a different app or process is accessing the microphone than the one actually doing so. This misattribution does not allow an attacker to directly access or control the microphone but can mislead users about which software is recording audio, potentially masking malicious activity or reducing user trust in the system's privacy features. The vulnerability requires low privileges (local access) and does not require user interaction, making it easier to exploit by a local attacker or malicious software already running on the system. The CVSS score is 3.3 (low severity), reflecting limited impact on confidentiality and availability but some impact on integrity of privacy indicators. Apple addressed this issue in macOS Sequoia 15.2 by improving the state management logic responsible for tracking microphone access and updating the indicators accordingly. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and the affected versions are unspecified but presumably all versions prior to 15.2. This vulnerability highlights the importance of accurate privacy notifications as a security control and the risk posed when such indicators are unreliable.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability lies in the potential erosion of user trust and privacy assurance on macOS devices. While it does not allow direct unauthorized microphone access or data exfiltration, incorrect attribution of microphone usage indicators can conceal malicious or unauthorized recording activities, complicating incident detection and response. This is particularly significant for sectors with stringent privacy requirements such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government institutions. Misleading privacy indicators could also conflict with compliance obligations under regulations like GDPR, which emphasize transparency and user consent for data processing activities. Although the vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, it could be exploited by malware or insider threats to mask their presence. The lack of known active exploits reduces immediate risk, but organizations should not underestimate the potential for misuse in targeted attacks or insider scenarios. Overall, the impact is moderate in terms of privacy assurance and compliance, but low in terms of direct security compromise.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to macOS Sequoia 15.2 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Beyond patching, organizations should implement enhanced endpoint monitoring to detect anomalous microphone access patterns, such as unexpected or unauthorized processes attempting to use audio input devices. Deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools with capabilities to log and alert on microphone usage can help identify suspicious activity that might be obscured by incorrect indicators. User training should emphasize vigilance regarding privacy indicators and encourage reporting of any inconsistencies or unexpected microphone activity. For high-security environments, consider restricting microphone access via configuration profiles or mobile device management (MDM) solutions to only trusted applications. Regular audits of installed software and permissions can reduce the risk of malicious software exploiting this vulnerability. Finally, organizations should review privacy policies and incident response plans to incorporate scenarios where privacy indicators may be unreliable, ensuring rapid investigation and mitigation.