CVE-2024-44257 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2024
This issue was addressed with improved redaction of sensitive information. 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 access sensitive user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in apple's operating systems that allows malicious applications to potentially access sensitive user data through inadequate redaction mechanisms. The issue specifically affects macOS versions prior to the mentioned patches, where proper sanitization of sensitive information was not adequately implemented during data processing or display operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and removal of confidential data elements that should be stripped before being exposed to applications or system processes. This type of flaw falls under the category of improper data handling and sensitive data exposure as defined by cwe-200 and cwe-312. The security implications are significant as it creates a pathway for unauthorized data access that could compromise user privacy and system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves scenarios where applications or system components process data containing sensitive information such as personal identifiers, authentication credentials, or private communications. When the redaction mechanisms fail to properly sanitize this data, malicious applications may exploit the gap to extract or access information that should have been removed. This could occur through various attack vectors including memory inspection techniques, data leakage through system interfaces, or by leveraging legitimate application programming interfaces that inadvertently expose sanitized data. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege and data minimization, where sensitive information remains accessible beyond its intended scope. This issue aligns with attack techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under data exposure and information leakage patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including identity theft, financial fraud, and targeted surveillance operations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to build comprehensive profiles of users by collecting personal information from multiple sources within the system. The affected systems are particularly vulnerable because they contain user data that is not properly protected during processing or display operations. This creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the system is updated with the appropriate security patches. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security posture of the operating system by undermining the confidentiality guarantees that users expect from their devices.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of the security updates provided by apple for macOS Sequoia 15.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, and macOS Ventura 13.7.1. Organizations should prioritize patch management to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates that address the redaction deficiencies. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect unusual data access patterns, conducting regular security audits of application permissions, and establishing robust data handling procedures that minimize exposure of sensitive information. System administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the root cause by improving the redaction processes to ensure that sensitive information is properly removed before being processed or displayed, thereby preventing unauthorized access through the identified vulnerability. This remediation aligns with industry best practices for information security management and data protection standards.