CVE-2024-23274 – This CVE describes a privilege escalation vulne... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-23274?

CVE-2024-23274 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a privilege escalation vulnerability in macOS where an application could exploit an injection flaw to gain elevated privileges. The issue affects macOS Sonoma, Monterey, and Ventura before specific patch versions. Attackers could leverage this to execute code with higher permissions than intended.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a privilege escalation vulnerability in macOS where an application could exploit an injection flaw to gain elevated privileges. The issue affects macOS Sonoma, Monterey, and Ventura before specific patch versions. Attackers could leverage this to execute code with higher permissions than intended.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

macOS

Versions: macOS Sonoma before 14.4, macOS Monterey before 12.7.4, macOS Ventura before 13.6.5

Operating Systems: macOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All standard macOS installations with affected versions are vulnerable. No special configuration required.

📦 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 gains full root privileges on the system, enabling complete compromise, data theft, persistence installation, and lateral movement.

🟠

Likely Case

Malicious applications or compromised legitimate apps escalate privileges to perform unauthorized actions, install malware, or bypass security controls.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper application sandboxing, least privilege principles, and endpoint protection, exploitation attempts are blocked or contained.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This requires local application execution, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Local attackers or malware can exploit this for privilege escalation on affected macOS systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local application execution. Apple has not disclosed technical details, but CWE-74 suggests injection vulnerability.

🛠️ 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

macOS

Restrict execution of untrusted applications using macOS security policies

sudo spctl --master-enable
sudo spctl --enable --label "Developer ID"

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict application allowlisting to prevent execution of untrusted applications
Enable full disk encryption and monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check macOS version: if running Sonoma <14.4, Monterey <12.7.4, or Ventura <13.6.5, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

sw_vers

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify macOS version shows 14.4, 12.7.4, or 13.6.5 or higher after update.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected privilege escalation in system logs
Unauthorized sudo or root access attempts

Network Indicators:

None - local exploitation only

SIEM Query:

source="macos_system_logs" AND (event="privilege_escalation" OR process="sudo" OR user="root")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-23274

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-74

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/22 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/23 Mailing List
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214083 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214084 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214085 Vendor Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/21 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/22 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/23 Mailing List
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214083 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214084 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214085 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214083
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214084
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214085

📤 Share & Export

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