CVE-2024-40831 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/17/2024
A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15. An app may be able to access a user's Photos Library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-40831 represents a critical permissions flaw within macOS Sequoia 15 that allows unauthorized applications to access user Photos Library data. This issue stems from insufficient access controls that fail to properly enforce the principle of least privilege for system resources. The flaw exists in the operating system's permission model where applications can potentially bypass normal security boundaries to access sensitive user data without proper authorization. According to CWE-284, this vulnerability maps directly to inadequate access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized access to protected resources. The security implications extend beyond simple data exposure as this access could enable further exploitation through data exfiltration or manipulation of user media content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper validation of application permissions within the macOS security framework. Applications that should be restricted from accessing Photos Library data can potentially invoke system APIs or use indirect methods to retrieve media files stored in the user's photo library. This flaw likely involves insufficient sandboxing controls or improper enforcement of entitlements that govern what applications can access. The issue may manifest through malicious applications that attempt to leverage legitimate system calls or through privilege escalation techniques that exploit gaps in the permission checking system. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to access sensitive personal photographs, videos, and associated metadata that could be used for identity theft, social engineering, or other malicious purposes.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-40831 extends significantly beyond immediate data exposure risks. Users who have not updated to macOS Sequoia 15 remain vulnerable to potential exploitation by attackers who can craft malicious applications or modify existing applications to take advantage of this permission flaw. The vulnerability affects all users who store personal media content in their Photos Library and could be particularly damaging for individuals who rely on the privacy of their photo collections for professional or personal reasons. The attack surface includes not only direct malware but also legitimate applications that may have been compromised or could be manipulated through social engineering to gain unauthorized access. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1056.001 for input capture through credential access and T1566 for social engineering attacks that could leverage this access to gather sensitive information.
Organizations and individual users should immediately implement mitigation strategies including mandatory system updates to macOS Sequoia 15 where the vulnerability has been addressed. Security administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of applications installed on systems to identify any potentially malicious software that could exploit this vulnerability. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to user media libraries, and application whitelisting policies should be strengthened to prevent unauthorized applications from executing with elevated privileges. The fix implemented in macOS Sequoia 15 includes additional restrictions on Photos Library access that properly enforce application entitlements and strengthen sandboxing controls. Users should also be educated about the risks of installing applications from untrusted sources and the importance of maintaining current system security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and proper system hardening practices to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive user data.