CVE-2024-40804 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.6. A malicious application may be able to access private information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-40804 represents a significant privacy concern within the macOS Sonoma 14.6 operating system. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that allow malicious applications to potentially access private information without proper authorization. The flaw exists within the system's security boundaries, creating an avenue for unauthorized data access that could compromise user privacy and system integrity. The vulnerability was specifically addressed through enhanced validation checks that strengthen the operating system's ability to prevent unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms within software systems. This classification indicates that the flaw involves inadequate enforcement of access restrictions, allowing malicious entities to bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability operates at the application level where proper privilege separation fails to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that leverage the insufficient validation checks to access private information that should remain protected.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-40804 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within the macOS environment. System administrators and security professionals must recognize that this vulnerability could enable adversaries to gather sensitive user data, potentially including personal information, credentials, or confidential documents. The risk assessment for this vulnerability places it in the medium to high severity category given its potential to facilitate data breaches and privacy violations. Organizations running macOS Sonoma 14.6 systems face increased exposure to targeted attacks that could leverage this flaw to access private information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-40804 primarily focus on immediate system updates to macOS Sonoma 14.6 where the vulnerability has been patched. Security teams should prioritize deployment of the official update across all affected systems to eliminate the risk associated with this flaw. Additional protective measures include implementing robust application whitelisting policies, monitoring system logs for suspicious activity, and conducting regular security audits to identify potential exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the root cause by strengthening access control mechanisms and improving validation procedures that prevent unauthorized applications from accessing private information. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, specifically targeting the T1078 and T1566 sub-techniques. The patched implementation demonstrates the importance of proper access control enforcement as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK matrix. Security professionals should recognize that this vulnerability represents a gap in the operating system's defense-in-depth strategy, emphasizing the need for multiple layers of protection. The remediation process should include verification procedures to ensure that the updated validation mechanisms are properly functioning and that no residual vulnerabilities remain. Regular security assessments and penetration testing can help validate that the implemented fixes effectively address the access control weaknesses that previously allowed unauthorized information access.