CVE-2024-23268
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a privilege escalation vulnerability in macOS where an application can exploit an injection flaw to gain elevated privileges. It affects macOS Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma before specific patch versions. Users running unpatched macOS systems are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
📦 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 →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 →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
An attacker could gain root-level access to the system, allowing complete compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Malicious applications could bypass security restrictions to access protected files, install additional malware, or modify system settings.
If Mitigated
With proper application sandboxing and least privilege principles, impact would be limited to the compromised application's scope.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local application execution; no public exploit code identified in references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Sonoma 14.4, macOS Monterey 12.7.4, macOS Ventura 13.6.5
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214083
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Install available updates. 3. Restart when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Application Restriction
macOSLimit application installations to App Store and identified developers only
System Settings > Privacy & Security > Allow applications downloaded from: App Store
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application control policies to prevent unauthorized application execution
- Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > AboutCheck Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version is 14.4 (Sonoma), 12.7.4 (Monterey), or 13.6.5 (Ventura) or later📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation in system logs
- Unauthorized process spawning with elevated privileges
Network Indicators:
- None (local vulnerability)
SIEM Query:
process where parent_process_name in ("sh", "bash", "zsh") and integrity_level changed🔗 References
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/21
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/22
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/23
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214083
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214084
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214085
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/21
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/22
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/23
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214083
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214084
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214085
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214083
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214084
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214085
