CVE-2024-23246 – This CVE describes a sandbox escape vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-23246?

CVE-2024-23246 has a CVSS score of 8.6 (HIGH). This CVE describes a sandbox escape vulnerability in Apple operating systems that allows malicious applications to break out of their security sandbox. This affects multiple Apple platforms including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The vulnerability could allow apps to access resources and perform actions beyond their intended permissions.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a sandbox escape vulnerability in Apple operating systems that allows malicious applications to break out of their security sandbox. This affects multiple Apple platforms including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The vulnerability could allow apps to access resources and perform actions beyond their intended permissions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

macOS
iOS
iPadOS
watchOS
tvOS
visionOS

Versions: Versions prior to the fixed releases listed in the advisory

Operating Systems: Apple operating systems

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default configurations of affected Apple operating systems are vulnerable until patched.

📦 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 →

Tvos by Apple

View all CVEs affecting Tvos →

Visionos by Apple

View all CVEs affecting Visionos →

Watchos by Apple

View all CVEs affecting Watchos →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

A malicious app could gain full system access, install persistent malware, access sensitive user data across applications, and potentially compromise the entire device.

🟠

Likely Case

Malicious apps could access data from other applications, modify system files, and perform unauthorized actions with elevated privileges.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper app vetting and security controls, the risk is limited to untrusted apps that manage to bypass App Store review processes.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This requires local app execution, not directly exploitable over the internet.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Risk exists if users install untrusted apps from outside official app stores or if malicious apps bypass security reviews.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed and executed on the target device. No public exploit code is currently available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: macOS Sonoma 14.4, visionOS 1.1, iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, watchOS 10.4, iOS 16.7.6, iPadOS 16.7.6, tvOS 17.4

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 available update 4. Restart the device when prompted

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict App Installation Sources

all

Configure devices to only allow app installation from the official App Store

Mobile Device Management Restrictions

all

Use MDM to enforce app installation policies and block untrusted sources

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict app vetting processes and only allow installation from trusted sources
Use application allowlisting to restrict which apps can run on devices

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check the current OS version against the affected versions listed in the Apple advisory

Check Version:

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

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify the device is running one of the patched versions listed in the fix information

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual app behavior, sandbox violation logs, unexpected file access patterns

Network Indicators:

Unusual network connections from apps that shouldn't have network access

SIEM Query:

Search for sandbox violation events or unexpected privilege escalation in application logs

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-23246

CVSS v3 Score: 8.6 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-20

Published: March 8, 2024

Last Updated: November 4, 2025

🔗 References

http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/21 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/24 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/25 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/26 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214081 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214082 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,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/24 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/25 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/26 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214081 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214082 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/HT214082
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214084
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214087
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214088

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