CVE-2024-23251 – An authentication vulnerability in Apple's Mail... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-23251?

CVE-2024-23251 has a CVSS score of 4.6 (MEDIUM). An authentication vulnerability in Apple's Mail application allows attackers with physical access to a device to potentially extract Mail account credentials. This affects users of macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS who haven't updated to the patched versions. The issue stems from improper state management during authentication processes.

📋 TL;DR

An authentication vulnerability in Apple's Mail application allows attackers with physical access to a device to potentially extract Mail account credentials. This affects users of macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS who haven't updated to the patched versions. The issue stems from improper state management during authentication processes.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Mail app on Apple devices

Versions: Versions before macOS Sonoma 14.5, watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, iOS 16.7.8, iPadOS 16.7.8

Operating Systems: macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects Mail app authentication; requires physical device access to exploit.

📦 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...

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Watchos by Apple

View all CVEs affecting Watchos →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Mail account credentials (username/password) are fully compromised, allowing unauthorized access to email accounts and potential account takeover.

🟠

Likely Case

Limited credential exposure requiring physical device access, potentially leading to unauthorized email access on the compromised device.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if devices are updated to patched versions or physical access controls prevent unauthorized device access.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Exploitation requires physical device access, not remote network access.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Physical access to corporate devices could lead to credential leakage, but requires attacker proximity.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires physical access to target device; no public exploit code available as of analysis.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: macOS Sonoma 14.5, watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, iOS 16.7.8, iPadOS 16.7.8

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214100

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Settings/System Preferences. 2. Navigate to Software Update. 3. Install the latest available update for your device. 4. Restart device when prompted.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable Mail app

all

Temporarily disable the Mail application to prevent credential exposure

Enable device passcode

all

Ensure strong device passcode is enabled to prevent unauthorized physical access

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict physical security controls for devices
Use web-based email clients instead of native Mail app

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check device OS version against affected versions list

Check Version:

macOS: 'sw_vers', iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About, watchOS: Watch app > General > About

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm device is running patched version: macOS Sonoma 14.5+, watchOS 10.5+, iOS 17.5+, iPadOS 17.5+, iOS 16.7.8+, or iPadOS 16.7.8+

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual Mail authentication attempts
Multiple failed authentication events

Network Indicators:

Unexpected Mail protocol traffic from compromised devices

SIEM Query:

Search for authentication failures or unusual access patterns in Mail application logs

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-23251

CVSS v3 Score: 4.6 (MEDIUM)

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

CWE: CWE-287

Published: June 10, 2024

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214100 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214101 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214104 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214106 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214100 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214101 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214104 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214106 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214100 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214101 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214104 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214106 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214100 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214101 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214104 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214106 Vendor Advisory

📤 Share & Export

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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