CVE-2024-27809 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
A privacy issue was addressed with improved private data redaction for log entries. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.4. An app may be able to access user-sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical privacy flaw in macOS Sonoma 14.4 that allowed applications to potentially access user-sensitive data through inadequate log entry redaction mechanisms. The issue stems from insufficient private data protection measures within the system's logging infrastructure, creating a vector for unauthorized data exposure. The vulnerability affects the fundamental privacy controls that should prevent sensitive information from being inadvertently logged or accessible to applications that lack proper authorization. This type of flaw falls under the category of improper data handling and privacy protection mechanisms, which aligns with CWE-532, which addresses information exposure through log files and improper data redaction.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in how the operating system processes and stores log entries containing user-sensitive information. Applications may have been able to access or retrieve private data that should have been redacted from log files, creating an information disclosure vulnerability. This issue particularly impacts user privacy by potentially exposing personal information, authentication data, or other sensitive attributes that should remain protected within the system's logging framework. The vulnerability represents a breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where applications gain access to data beyond their intended scope. According to ATT&CK framework, this maps to T1070.004 for Indicator Removal on Host and potentially T1566 for Phishing, as the exposure could enable further attacks through compromised user data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling sophisticated attacks that leverage the leaked information for identity theft, credential compromise, or targeted social engineering campaigns. Users who rely on macOS for sensitive operations may have had their private information accessible to unauthorized applications, undermining the trust model of the operating system. The fix implemented in macOS Sonoma 14.4 addresses the root cause by improving the private data redaction process for log entries, ensuring that sensitive information is properly sanitized before being stored or accessible to applications. Organizations should prioritize updating to this version to protect against potential exploitation, particularly in environments where user privacy and data protection are critical considerations.
The remediation approach focuses on strengthening the logging infrastructure's data protection mechanisms, implementing more robust redaction algorithms, and ensuring that sensitive data classification is properly enforced within the system's logging components. This vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive privacy controls in operating system design, where even seemingly innocuous logging features can become attack vectors when proper data protection measures are not implemented. System administrators and security professionals should conduct thorough assessments of their macOS environments to ensure compliance with the updated privacy protections, particularly in regulated environments where data exposure could result in significant compliance violations or security incidents. The fix demonstrates Apple's commitment to addressing privacy concerns through proactive security updates and improved data handling practices within their operating system architecture.