CVE-2023-40541 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/27/2023
This issue was addressed by adding an additional prompt for user consent. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14. A shortcut may output sensitive user data without consent.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-40541 represents a significant security flaw in macOS Sonoma 14 that could potentially expose sensitive user data through unintended shortcut functionality. This issue specifically relates to a scenario where certain keyboard shortcuts or automated processes might inadvertently output confidential information without proper user authorization, creating a vector for unauthorized data disclosure. The vulnerability was addressed through the implementation of additional user consent prompts, which serves as a critical safeguard to ensure that users are explicitly informed and approve before any sensitive data is processed or displayed.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure vulnerabilities where sensitive data is unintentionally disclosed to unauthorized parties. The issue demonstrates how seemingly benign shortcut functionality can become a security risk when proper consent mechanisms are absent, particularly in operating systems where automation and keyboard shortcuts are integral to user experience. The vulnerability likely involves a misconfiguration in the system's permission handling for shortcut execution, where the operating system fails to properly validate user intent before triggering data output operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to exploit automated shortcuts to extract sensitive information from affected systems. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it represents a fundamental breach of user privacy and system security principles. Users may unknowingly trigger data output through common keyboard combinations, potentially exposing personal information, credentials, or other confidential data stored on their devices. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where macOS Sonoma 14 systems may handle sensitive corporate data.
The remediation approach taken by Apple addresses this issue through the implementation of additional user consent prompts, which directly aligns with security best practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1566 for credential access and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. These consent mechanisms ensure that any potentially sensitive data output requires explicit user acknowledgment before proceeding, thereby preventing unauthorized disclosure. The fix demonstrates Apple's proactive approach to addressing user privacy concerns and maintaining system integrity through proper access control measures. Organizations should ensure their macOS Sonoma 14 systems are updated to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability and maintain compliance with security standards that require explicit user consent for data processing operations.