CVE-2024-27805
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an environment variable validation vulnerability in Apple operating systems that could allow malicious applications to access sensitive user data. The issue affects macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Apple has addressed this with improved validation in security updates.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
- tvOS
- watchOS
📦 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
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
A malicious app could access sensitive user data including credentials, personal information, or other protected data stored in environment variables.
Likely Case
Malicious apps could potentially access some user data, though the specific impact depends on what sensitive data is exposed via environment variables.
If Mitigated
With proper app sandboxing and security controls, the impact would be limited to data accessible within the app's sandbox.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed and executed on the target device.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Ventura 13.6.7, macOS Monterey 12.7.5, iOS 16.7.8, iPadOS 16.7.8, tvOS 17.5, iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, watchOS 10.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214100
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings (macOS) or Settings (iOS/iPadOS). 2. Navigate to General > Software Update. 3. Install the available security update. 4. Restart the device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Installation
allOnly install apps from trusted sources like the App Store to reduce risk of malicious apps.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict app installation policies to prevent untrusted apps from being installed.
- Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and monitor for suspicious activity.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the current OS version against the patched versions listed in the Apple security advisories.Check Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion; iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version; tvOS: Settings > General > About > Version; watchOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the OS version matches or exceeds the patched versions: macOS Ventura 13.6.7+, macOS Monterey 12.7.5+, iOS 16.7.8+, iPadOS 16.7.8+, tvOS 17.5+, iOS 17.5+, iPadOS 17.5+, watchOS 10.5+, macOS Sonoma 14.5+📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual app behavior accessing environment variables
- Suspicious app installation events
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from apps to external servers
SIEM Query:
Search for app installation events from untrusted sources or unusual process behavior accessing sensitive system resources.🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214100
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214101
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214102
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214104
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214105
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214106
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214107
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214100
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214101
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214102
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214104
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214105
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214106
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214107
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214100
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214101
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214102
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214104
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214105
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214106
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214107
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214100
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214101
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214102
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214104
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214105
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214106
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214107
