CVE-2024-44156 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2024
A path deletion vulnerability was addressed by preventing vulnerable code from running with privileges. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, macOS Ventura 13.7.1. An app may be able to bypass Privacy preferences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2026
This vulnerability represents a path deletion flaw that emerged in Apple's macOS operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to the patched releases. The issue stems from insufficient privilege controls during path deletion operations, creating a potential vector for unauthorized system access. The vulnerability allows malicious applications to exploit weak privilege checks that should prevent certain file system operations from executing with elevated permissions. This flaw particularly impacts the macOS privacy framework, where applications might bypass established privacy preferences that normally restrict file access and system modifications. The vulnerability affects the core operating system components responsible for managing file paths and access controls, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of path deletion sequences within the operating system's file management subsystem. When applications attempt to delete files or directories, the system should verify that the operation occurs with appropriate privileges and within defined boundaries. However, the flaw allows for bypassing these privilege checks, enabling applications to perform path deletions that would normally be restricted. This issue specifically impacts the macOS privacy preferences system, where user-defined restrictions on application access to files and directories can be circumvented. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level or system-level components, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect core operating system functionality and user data protection mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path deletion capabilities, as it represents a broader compromise of the macOS privacy and security model. Attackers could potentially exploit this flaw to remove critical system files, manipulate user data, or bypass privacy controls that protect against unauthorized application access to sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security architecture that protects user privacy preferences, potentially allowing malicious applications to gain unauthorized access to files and directories that should remain protected. This issue particularly impacts users who rely on macOS privacy controls to protect their data from unauthorized application access, creating a potential attack surface for sophisticated adversaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of the patched macOS versions, specifically macOS Sequoia 15.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, and macOS Ventura 13.7.1. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected systems to prevent exploitation of this privilege bypass vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing strict application sandboxing policies, monitoring for unusual file deletion patterns, and ensuring that only trusted applications have elevated privileges. Organizations should also conduct security audits to identify any applications that might be exploiting this vulnerability and implement network monitoring to detect anomalous behavior related to file system operations. The fix addresses the underlying privilege escalation mechanism that allows path deletion operations to bypass normal security checks, effectively closing the exploit path that enabled unauthorized access to protected system resources and user data. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a specific instance of privilege escalation that could enable attackers to bypass macOS privacy preferences and access restricted system resources.