CVE-2024-23226 – This is a memory corruption vulnerability (CWE-... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-23226?

CVE-2024-23226 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). This is a memory corruption vulnerability (CWE-787) in Apple's web content processing components that could allow arbitrary code execution when processing malicious web content. It affects multiple Apple operating systems including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Attackers could exploit this by tricking users into visiting malicious websites or opening crafted content.

📋 TL;DR

This is a memory corruption vulnerability (CWE-787) in Apple's web content processing components that could allow arbitrary code execution when processing malicious web content. It affects multiple Apple operating systems including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Attackers could exploit this by tricking users into visiting malicious websites or opening crafted content.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

macOS
iOS
iPadOS
watchOS
tvOS
visionOS

Versions: Versions prior to macOS Sonoma 14.4, iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, watchOS 10.4, tvOS 17.4, visionOS 1.1

Operating Systems: macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default configurations are vulnerable. The vulnerability exists in web content processing components used by Safari and other applications.

📦 What is this software?

Ipad Os by Apple

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Iphone Os by Apple

View all CVEs affecting Iphone Os →

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

Full system compromise with attacker gaining complete control over the device, allowing data theft, persistence installation, and lateral movement within networks.

🟠

Likely Case

Arbitrary code execution in the context of the web browser or content processing application, potentially leading to credential theft, surveillance, or ransomware deployment.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper network segmentation, application sandboxing, and least privilege principles in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires user interaction (visiting malicious website or opening crafted content). No public exploit code is currently available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: macOS Sonoma 14.4, iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, watchOS 10.4, tvOS 17.4, visionOS 1.1

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214081

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Settings/System Preferences. 2. Navigate to Software Update. 3. Download and install the latest update. 4. Restart the device when prompted.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable JavaScript

all

Disable JavaScript in web browsers to prevent exploitation through malicious websites.

Safari: Safari > Settings > Security > uncheck 'Enable JavaScript'

Use Alternative Browser

all

Use browsers not based on Apple's WebKit engine until patched.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement network filtering to block known malicious domains and restrict web access to trusted sites only.
Enable application sandboxing and use least privilege principles to limit potential damage from exploitation.

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check system version in Settings > General > About on iOS/iPadOS or Apple menu > About This Mac on macOS.

Check Version:

macOS: sw_vers -productVersion, iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify system version matches or exceeds patched versions: macOS 14.4+, iOS 17.4+, iPadOS 17.4+, watchOS 10.4+, tvOS 17.4+, visionOS 1.1+.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected process crashes in Safari/WebKit processes
Memory access violation logs
Unusual network connections from browser processes

Network Indicators:

Connections to suspicious domains from browser processes
Unusual outbound traffic patterns

SIEM Query:

process_name:Safari OR process_name:WebKit AND (event_type:crash OR memory_violation)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-23226

CVSS v3 Score: 8.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-787

Published: March 8, 2024

Last Updated: November 4, 2025

🔗 References

http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/21 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/24 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/25 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/26 Mailing List
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214081 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214084 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214086 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214087 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214088 Vendor Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/21 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/24 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/25 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/26 Mailing List
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214081 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214084 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214086 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214087 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214088 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214081
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214084
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214087
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214088

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