CVE-2024-44137 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2024
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, macOS Ventura 13.7.1. An attacker with physical access may be able to share items from the lock screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2024-44137 represents a significant security flaw in Apple's macOS operating system that allows unauthorized access to shared items from the lock screen. This issue specifically affects systems running macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, and macOS Ventura 13.7.1, where proper authentication mechanisms have been bypassed. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls that permit users to share content from the lock screen without proper verification, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors who gain physical access to affected devices. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and unauthorized data access as classified by CWE-284, which deals with improper access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a failure in the operating system's security model for handling shared content when the device is locked. When a device is secured with a lock screen, legitimate security protocols should prevent any sharing or access operations that could expose sensitive information. However, this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass these protections and access shared items directly from the lock screen interface. The flaw particularly impacts the system's ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity of data, as it enables unauthorized sharing of potentially sensitive information including documents, images, or other content that might be visible on the lock screen. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses a serious risk to users who may be physically compromised or whose devices are stolen. Attackers with physical access can exploit this flaw to gain immediate access to shared items, potentially including confidential business data, personal information, or other sensitive materials. The impact extends beyond individual privacy concerns to potential corporate security breaches, especially in environments where macOS devices are used for business purposes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no network connectivity or remote exploitation capabilities, making it accessible through simple physical access. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1550.001 which covers use of valid accounts, as attackers can leverage the lock screen access without needing to compromise authentication mechanisms or credentials.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves updating to the patched versions of macOS as specified in the advisory. Users should immediately upgrade to macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, or macOS Ventura 13.7.1 to resolve the issue. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these updates across enterprise environments, particularly for devices that may be at higher risk of physical compromise. Additional protective measures include enabling strong screen locks with passcodes, biometric authentication, or other multi-factor authentication mechanisms to provide additional layers of security. Organizations should also implement policies requiring users to lock their screens when leaving devices unattended and consider deploying device management solutions that can enforce security configurations. The fix addresses the underlying access control issue by implementing improved checks that properly validate authentication status before allowing any sharing operations from the lock screen interface, thereby preventing unauthorized access to shared content.