CVE-2024-40832 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.6. An app may be able to view a contact's phone number in system logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-40832 represents a privacy exposure in macOS Sonoma 14.6 systems where applications may potentially access contact phone numbers stored within system logs. This flaw falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities that could compromise user privacy and data confidentiality. The issue was resolved through enhanced validation mechanisms implemented in the operating system's logging infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of contact information within system log files, where improper access controls or validation checks allowed unauthorized applications to retrieve sensitive phone number data. This represents a significant concern for user privacy as contact information constitutes personal data that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The fix implemented in macOS Sonoma 14.6 addresses the root cause by strengthening the validation processes that govern how contact data is logged and accessed within the system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper access control mechanisms. The potential impact extends beyond simple data leakage as it could enable adversaries to gather personal contact information for social engineering attacks or other malicious activities. The issue demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege where applications should not have access to contact information unless explicitly required for their functionality. System administrators and security professionals should prioritize the deployment of macOS Sonoma 14.6 updates to mitigate this exposure. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1074.001 which covers data staging through local data staging mechanisms. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to ensure proper log access controls are in place and monitor for any unauthorized access patterns. The fix implemented by Apple demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in preventing information disclosure vulnerabilities. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for continuous security auditing of system logging mechanisms and the protection of sensitive user data within system infrastructure. The remediation approach taken by Apple emphasizes the importance of implementing robust validation checks to prevent unauthorized access to personal information stored in system logs. Users should be aware that this vulnerability could potentially allow malicious applications to gather contact information without proper user consent or awareness. The resolution of this issue through enhanced system checks represents a positive step in protecting user privacy while maintaining system functionality and security standards.