CVE-2024-27791
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows a malicious app to corrupt coprocessor memory on Apple devices, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. It affects iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and macOS across multiple versions. Users running affected Apple operating systems are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- iOS
- iPadOS
- tvOS
- macOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
Ipados by Apple
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 →Tvos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker could achieve arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges, leading to complete device compromise, data theft, or persistent malware installation.
Likely Case
App crashes, system instability, or limited privilege escalation within the app sandbox, potentially allowing data access or further exploitation.
If Mitigated
With proper app review controls and sandboxing, impact is limited to the malicious app's own memory space with minimal system-wide effects.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed and executed. No public exploit code is available at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3, tvOS 17.3, macOS Ventura 13.6.4, iOS 16.7.5, iPadOS 16.7.5, macOS Monterey 12.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214055
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on iOS/iPadOS/tvOS or System Settings > General > Software Update on macOS. 2. Download and install the latest available update. 3. Restart the device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Installation
allOnly install apps from trusted sources like the official App Store and avoid sideloading or third-party app stores.
Enable App Review Controls
allUse parental controls or MDM solutions to restrict app installations to approved sources only.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected devices from critical networks and sensitive data
- Implement strict app installation policies and monitor for suspicious app behavior
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the device's operating system version against the affected versions listed above.Check Version:
iOS/iPadOS/tvOS: Settings > General > About > Version. macOS: Apple menu > About This Mac > macOS version.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify the device is running one of the patched versions: iOS 17.3+, iPadOS 17.3+, tvOS 17.3+, macOS Ventura 13.6.4+, iOS 16.7.5+, iPadOS 16.7.5+, macOS Monterey 12.7.3+, or macOS Sonoma 14.3+.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected app crashes, kernel panic logs, or memory corruption errors in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network connections from apps, especially to unknown destinations
SIEM Query:
Search for events like 'kernel panic', 'memory corruption', or unexpected app termination events from Apple devices.🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214055
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214057
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214058
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214059
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214061
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214063
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214055
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214057
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214058
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214059
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214061
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214063
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214055
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214059
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214061
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214063
