CVE-2024-44211: Apple macOS Symlink Information Disclosure

CVE-2024-44211 Overview

CVE-2024-44211 is a symlink validation vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows an application to access user-sensitive data. The flaw was addressed with improved validation of symbolic links and is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.1. The weakness maps to [CWE-59] (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access) and [CWE-281] (Improper Preservation of Permissions). Local access and user interaction are required for exploitation, but successful abuse discloses confidential user data without altering system integrity.

Critical Impact
A malicious application running on an unpatched macOS 15.0 host can leverage crafted symlinks to bypass access controls and read files that would otherwise require user consent or elevated privileges.

Affected Products

Apple macOS 15.0 (Sequoia)
macOS installations without the Sequoia 15.1 security update
Applications relying on default macOS file-access mediation on affected versions

Discovery Timeline

2024-12-20 - CVE-2024-44211 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-44211

Vulnerability Analysis

The issue is a symlink attack in macOS file-access mediation. When a privileged or user-consented file operation resolves a path, the operating system fails to sufficiently validate whether components of that path are symbolic links pointing outside the expected directory. An application can plant a symlink that redirects a subsequent read or write to a protected location. Because macOS treats the target as legitimate, the app inherits access to files that Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) or standard permission checks would normally guard.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper link resolution before file access, tracked as [CWE-59], compounded by [CWE-281] where original file permissions are not preserved across symlinked paths. The affected code path opens or reads a target without re-validating that the resolved inode matches the caller's authorization scope. Apple's advisory states the fix introduces improved validation of symlinks in the affected component.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local execution and user interaction, such as launching a malicious application or opening a crafted document. The attacker application creates a symbolic link inside a directory it controls, then invokes a system operation that follows the link into a protected location such as user data directories or containerized app data. No elevated privileges are required at initial execution. The result is confidentiality loss for user-sensitive data; integrity and availability are not directly impacted.

See the Apple Support Document and the Full Disclosure Security Post for additional technical context on the affected component and fix.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-44211

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected symbolic links created by unsigned or non-Apple applications inside user data directories, ~/Library, or app container paths.
File access events from sandboxed applications resolving to paths outside their declared container.
Access to TCC-protected locations (Documents, Downloads, Desktop, iCloud Drive) by applications without a corresponding user consent prompt.

Detection Strategies

Monitor Endpoint Security framework events ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_CREATE and ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_OPEN for symlink creations followed by opens of sensitive targets.
Correlate application code signing identity with file access patterns to flag apps reading files outside their expected scope.
Alert on any process resolving a symlink whose target crosses a TCC boundary or user data domain.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Unified Logging subsystem com.apple.TCC and review consent decisions against actual file access telemetry.
Track macOS version inventory to identify hosts still running 15.0 or earlier builds.
Baseline symlink creation activity per application and alert on deviations from that baseline.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-44211

Immediate Actions Required

Update all macOS Sequoia endpoints to version 15.1 or later using Software Update or MDM-managed update policies.
Restrict installation of untrusted applications through Gatekeeper and notarization enforcement.
Audit installed applications for those requesting Full Disk Access or broad file system entitlements and revoke unnecessary grants.

Patch Information

Apple released the fix in macOS Sequoia 15.1. The advisory notes the issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. Administrators should reference the Apple Support Document for the complete list of components patched in this release and deploy the update to all affected hosts.

Workarounds

Limit local user privileges and avoid running untrusted applications on unpatched macOS 15.0 systems.
Enforce application allowlisting via MDM to prevent execution of unknown binaries pending patch deployment.
Configure TCC policies through a mobile device management (MDM) profile to minimize the scope of applications with access to sensitive user directories.

bash

# Verify macOS build and confirm patch level
sw_vers -productVersion

# Trigger software update check and install available macOS updates
sudo softwareupdate --list
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart