CVE-2024-40823 – This CVE describes a macOS vulnerability where ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-40823?

CVE-2024-40823 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes a macOS vulnerability where applications can access sensitive user data without proper authorization. It affects macOS Sonoma, Monterey, and Ventura before specific patch versions. The vulnerability allows potential data exposure to malicious or compromised applications.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a macOS vulnerability where applications can access sensitive user data without proper authorization. It affects macOS Sonoma, Monterey, and Ventura before specific patch versions. The vulnerability allows potential data exposure to malicious or compromised applications.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

macOS

Versions: macOS Sonoma before 14.6, macOS Monterey before 12.7.6, macOS Ventura before 13.6.8

Operating Systems: macOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All standard macOS installations are affected. No special configuration required for exploitation.

📦 What is this software?

Macos by Apple

macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...

Learn more about Macos →

Macos by Apple

macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...

Learn more about Macos →

Macos by Apple

macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...

Learn more about Macos →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Malicious application could access and exfiltrate sensitive user data including passwords, personal documents, or authentication tokens.

🟠

Likely Case

Compromised legitimate applications or malware could access user data they shouldn't have permission to access.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper application sandboxing and user permission controls, impact would be limited to data accessible by already-trusted applications.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a local privilege issue, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires local application execution, but could be combined with other exploits or social engineering.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires user to install/run malicious application. No public exploit code available based on references.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: macOS Sonoma 14.6, macOS Monterey 12.7.6, macOS Ventura 13.6.8

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214118

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open System Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Install available updates. 3. Restart when prompted.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Application Sandboxing Enforcement

macos

Use macOS privacy controls to restrict application access to sensitive data

System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders (or other relevant categories)

Gatekeeper Settings

macos

Configure Gatekeeper to only allow apps from App Store and identified developers

sudo spctl --master-enable
sudo spctl --enable

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized applications from running
Use macOS privacy controls to manually restrict data access for all applications

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About

Check Version:

sw_vers

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify macOS version is 14.6, 12.7.6, or 13.6.8 or later

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual application access to protected directories
Privacy permission denials in system logs

Network Indicators:

Unexpected outbound connections from applications accessing sensitive data

SIEM Query:

source="macos" AND (event="privacy_denial" OR event="sandbox_violation")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-40823

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

CWE: CWE-200

Published: July 29, 2024

Last Updated: November 4, 2025

🔗 References

http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/18 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/19 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/20 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214118 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214119 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214120 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/18 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/19 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/20 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214118 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214119 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214120 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214118
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214119
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214120

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