CVE-2024-54495 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that allows an application to modify protected parts of the file system due to flawed permissions logic. The core issue stems from insufficient enforcement of access control policies, enabling an app to escalate its privileges to alter critical system files that should be immutable or restricted. This vulnerability falls under CWE-863, which relates to improper authorization. The flaw requires local access and user interaction, as an attacker must execute a malicious application on the target system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium), reflecting the limited attack vector (local), low complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The impact is primarily on integrity, as unauthorized modifications to protected files could compromise system stability, security configurations, or enable persistence mechanisms. Confidentiality and availability are not directly affected. Apple addressed this vulnerability in macOS Sequoia 15.2 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.2 by improving the permissions logic to prevent unauthorized file system modifications. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, but the vulnerability poses a risk if exploited by malware or malicious insiders. The vulnerability affects all macOS versions prior to the patched releases. Given macOS's widespread use in enterprise, creative industries, and government, this vulnerability could be leveraged for targeted attacks or privilege escalation scenarios.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-54495 is on the integrity of macOS systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can modify protected system files, potentially leading to unauthorized persistence, tampering with security controls, or destabilizing the operating system. Although confidentiality and availability are not directly compromised, the integrity breach can facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation or evasion of security mechanisms. Organizations relying on macOS for critical operations, especially those with sensitive data or regulatory requirements, could face increased risk of system compromise or data manipulation. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits the scope to scenarios involving malicious insiders, compromised user accounts, or social engineering attacks that trick users into running malicious apps. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future exploitation. Failure to patch could expose organizations to targeted attacks, especially in sectors where macOS is prevalent, such as technology, media, and government.

1. Apply the security updates provided by Apple immediately, specifically upgrading to macOS Sequoia 15.2 or macOS Sonoma 14.7.2 or later versions where the vulnerability is fixed. 2. Implement strict application control policies to restrict execution of untrusted or unsigned applications, reducing the risk of malicious apps running locally. 3. Educate users about the risks of running unknown or suspicious applications to minimize social engineering attack vectors. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unauthorized file system modifications and alerting on suspicious behavior. 5. Regularly audit system integrity and file permissions to detect unauthorized changes early. 6. Limit local user privileges where possible to reduce the impact of compromised accounts. 7. Use macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Full Disk Encryption to add layers of defense. 8. Monitor security advisories from Apple and threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploit activity related to this vulnerability.