CVE-2024-44210 – A macOS permissions vulnerability allows applic... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-44210?

CVE-2024-44210 has a CVSS score of 3.3 (LOW). A macOS permissions vulnerability allows applications to access sensitive user data they shouldn't have permission to view. This affects macOS systems before Sequoia 15.1 where improper permission checking could expose private information.

📋 TL;DR

A macOS permissions vulnerability allows applications to access sensitive user data they shouldn't have permission to view. This affects macOS systems before Sequoia 15.1 where improper permission checking could expose private information.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

macOS

Versions: Versions before macOS Sequoia 15.1

Operating Systems: macOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default macOS installations before Sequoia 15.1 are vulnerable. Requires application execution on the system.

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Malicious app could access sensitive user data including documents, credentials, or personal information stored in protected locations.

🟠

Likely Case

Legitimate apps with bugs or malicious apps from untrusted sources could inadvertently or intentionally access user data beyond their intended permissions.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper app vetting and security controls, risk is limited to accidental data exposure by trusted applications.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This requires local application execution, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires user to install/run malicious or vulnerable applications locally.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires user to install and run a malicious or vulnerable application. No public exploit details available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: macOS Sequoia 15.1

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/121564

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open System Settings 2. Click General 3. Click Software Update 4. Install macOS Sequoia 15.1 update 5. Restart when prompted

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict Application Installation

all

Only install applications from trusted sources like the Mac App Store or identified developers

Review Application Permissions

all

Regularly review and restrict application permissions in System Settings

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement application allowlisting to only permit trusted applications
Use macOS privacy controls to restrict application access to sensitive data locations

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check macOS version: if before Sequoia 15.1, system is vulnerable

Check Version:

sw_vers

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify macOS version is 15.1 or later after update

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

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

Network Indicators:

Not applicable - local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

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

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-44210

CVSS v3 Score: 3.3 (LOW)

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

CWE: CWE-284

EPSS Score: 0.01% exploit probability (0.7th percentile)

Published: January 16, 2026

Last Updated: January 27, 2026

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/en-us/121564 Vendor Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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