CVE-2024-40788
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a type confusion vulnerability in Apple operating systems that allows a local attacker to cause unexpected system shutdowns. The issue affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Users running vulnerable versions of these operating systems are at risk of denial-of-service attacks.
💻 Affected Systems
- iOS
- iPadOS
- macOS
- watchOS
- 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
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local attacker gains kernel-level privileges leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent malware installation.
Likely Case
Local attacker causes system crashes or unexpected reboots, resulting in denial-of-service and potential data loss from unsaved work.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls, impact is limited to denial-of-service from local users who already have some system access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and understanding of memory corruption techniques. Type confusion vulnerabilities can potentially lead to more severe outcomes than just denial-of-service.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: iOS 16.7.9, iPadOS 16.7.9, macOS Ventura 13.6.8, macOS Monterey 12.7.6, iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, watchOS 10.6, tvOS 17.6, visionOS 1.3, macOS Sonoma 14.6
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214108
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings app. 2. Go to General > Software Update. 3. Download and install the latest available update. 4. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local user access
allLimit physical and remote access to vulnerable devices to trusted users only
Enable FileVault encryption
macOSEncrypt disk to prevent data extraction if system is compromised
sudo fdesetup enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit who has local access to vulnerable devices
- Monitor system logs for unexpected shutdowns or crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS version against affected versions list. On macOS: System Settings > General > About. On iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About.Check Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion, iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in the fix information📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected system shutdowns
- Kernel panic logs
- Crash reports with memory corruption indicators
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="apple_system_logs" AND (event="shutdown" OR event="panic" OR event="crash") AND NOT user="legitimate_user"🔗 References
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/16
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/17
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/18
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/19
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/20
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/21
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/22
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/23
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214116
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214117
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214118
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214119
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214120
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214122
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214123
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214124
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/16
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/17
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/18
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/19
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/20
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/21
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/22
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/23
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214116
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214117
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214118
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214119
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214120
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214122
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214123
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214124
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214116
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214117
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214118
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214119
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214120
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214122
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214124
