CVE-2024-27831
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in Apple operating systems that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes by processing a malicious file. It affects multiple Apple platforms including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Users who haven't updated to the patched versions are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
- tvOS
- visionOS
📦 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
Full system compromise through arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Application crashes (denial of service) when processing malicious files, with potential for limited code execution depending on the specific application context.
If Mitigated
No impact if systems are fully patched with the latest Apple security updates.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to process a malicious file. No public proof-of-concept has been disclosed as of the advisory date.
🛠️ 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, visionOS 1.2, iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, 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 latest available update. 4. Restart the device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict file processing
allLimit processing of untrusted files by implementing application whitelisting and restricting file types.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application sandboxing to limit potential damage from exploitation
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious file processing behavior
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the operating system version against the affected versions listed in the Apple security advisories.Check Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion; iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the operating system version matches or exceeds the patched versions listed in the fix information.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected application crashes when processing files
- Process creation from unexpected file handlers
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of suspicious file types followed by application crashes
SIEM Query:
Process creation events from file handling applications with suspicious parent processes or command-line arguments🔗 References
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jun/5
- 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/HT214105
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214106
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214107
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214108
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214100
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214101
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214102
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214105
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214106
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214107
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214108
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jun/5
- 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/HT214105
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214106
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214107
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214108
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214100
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214101
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214102
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214105
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214106
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214107
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214108
