CVE-2024-40814 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
A downgrade issue was addressed with additional code-signing restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.6, macOS Ventura 13.7. An app may be able to bypass Privacy preferences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2026
This vulnerability represents a significant security regression in apple's macos operating system that allows malicious applications to potentially bypass privacy controls through code-signing manipulation. The issue stems from insufficient validation of code-signing certificates during software updates and installations, creating a window where applications can downgrade or circumvent the security mechanisms designed to protect user privacy preferences. The vulnerability affects both macOS sonoma 14.6 and macos ventura 13.7, indicating a widespread impact across multiple operating system versions that rely on similar code-signing validation processes.
The technical flaw manifests as a weakness in the code-signing verification process where applications can exploit gaps in certificate validation to bypass the security restrictions that normally enforce privacy preferences. This downgrade vulnerability specifically targets the mechanisms that ensure software integrity and prevent unauthorized modifications to system components that control user privacy settings. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to install malicious software that appears legitimate while circumventing the normal security checks that would otherwise prevent access to sensitive user data or system controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy violations to encompass broader system security implications. Applications that successfully bypass privacy preferences could gain unauthorized access to user data, track user activities, or manipulate system settings without proper user consent. This represents a serious threat to user privacy and system integrity, as it undermines the fundamental security model that macos employs to protect users from unauthorized access to their personal information and system controls. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could remain active until properly patched.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate application of the patches provided in macOS sonoma 14.6 and macos ventura 13.7 updates. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected systems to restore proper code-signing validation and privacy preference enforcement. Additional protective measures include implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious code-signing activities and ensuring that only trusted software sources are permitted to install applications on affected systems. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to patch deployment. This vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration cwe-310 and represents a specific threat vector within the attack pattern framework that targets application security controls and code integrity validation mechanisms.