CVE-2023-40392 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/07/2023
A privacy issue was addressed with improved private data redaction for log entries. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.5. An app may be able to read sensitive location information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-40392 represents a significant privacy flaw in macOS Ventura 13.5 that allows applications to potentially access sensitive location data through improperly redacted log entries. This issue falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and specifically relates to inadequate data sanitization practices within the operating system's logging mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient private data redaction protocols that fail to completely obscure sensitive location information when log entries are generated or processed by applications.
The technical flaw manifests in the way macOS handles location data within system logs, where sensitive geolocation information may persist in log entries even after attempts to redact such data. This occurs due to incomplete sanitization processes that leave residual location metadata accessible to applications with appropriate permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level where applications can access these logs through standard system interfaces, potentially exposing user location history and movement patterns without explicit user consent or awareness.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a persistent privacy risk for macOS users who may unknowingly expose their location data to applications that can access system logs. The implications extend beyond individual privacy concerns to potential misuse by malicious actors who could exploit this weakness to track user movements and establish behavioral patterns. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and data minimization, as applications that should not have access to sensitive location information can potentially retrieve such data through log file access. The issue represents a failure in the system's data protection mechanisms and could lead to unauthorized location tracking across multiple applications and services.
The remediation for this vulnerability required comprehensive updates to macOS Ventura 13.5 that improved the private data redaction processes for log entries. This fix addresses the root cause by implementing more robust sanitization procedures that ensure sensitive location information is completely removed from log entries before they are made available to applications. Organizations should ensure all macOS systems are updated to version 13.5 or later to mitigate this risk. Security practitioners should also review application permissions and access controls to minimize potential exposure, while monitoring for any unusual log access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix aligns with cybersecurity frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and addresses requirements under ISO/IEC 27001 for proper information handling and data protection. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of comprehensive data sanitization and access control mechanisms in preventing information disclosure attacks, and it underscores the need for continuous security testing and validation of privacy protection measures within operating system components.
The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-532 (Information Exposure Through Log Files) categories, while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1070.004 (Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion) and T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) as potential exploitation vectors. The issue highlights the importance of proper data handling procedures and demonstrates how seemingly minor oversights in data sanitization can create significant privacy risks. Organizations should implement regular security assessments of their macOS environments to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in application logging and data handling practices, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and maintaining user trust in their security measures.