CVE-2024-40828 – This vulnerability allows a malicious applicati... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-40828?

CVE-2024-40828 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows a malicious application to gain root privileges on affected macOS systems. It affects macOS Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma before specific security updates. The issue involves improper privilege management that could be exploited locally.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows a malicious application to gain root privileges on affected macOS systems. It affects macOS Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma before specific security updates. The issue involves improper privilege management that could be exploited locally.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

macOS

Versions: macOS Monterey before 12.7.6, macOS Ventura before 13.6.8, macOS Sonoma before 14.6

Operating Systems: macOS Monterey, macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All standard installations of affected macOS versions are vulnerable. The vulnerability requires local access and ability to execute applications.

📦 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

Complete system compromise with root-level access, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, and full control over the system.

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation where a malicious app gains root privileges to bypass security controls and access sensitive data.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper application sandboxing and least privilege principles in place, though root access would still be concerning.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This appears to be a local privilege escalation requiring a malicious app to be installed and executed.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal users could exploit this if they can install and run malicious applications, potentially gaining unauthorized root access.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires a malicious application to be installed and executed on the target system. The vulnerability is in privilege management checks.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: macOS Sonoma 14.6, macOS Monterey 12.7.6, macOS Ventura 13.6.8

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214118

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open System Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Install available security updates. 3. Restart the system when prompted.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Application Restriction

all

Restrict installation of applications from untrusted sources to prevent malicious apps from being installed.

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

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict application control policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications
Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for privilege escalation attempts

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is Monterey < 12.7.6, Ventura < 13.6.8, or Sonoma < 14.6, the system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

sw_vers

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify macOS version is Monterey 12.7.6 or later, Ventura 13.6.8 or later, or Sonoma 14.6 or later.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected privilege escalation events in system logs
Applications requesting root privileges unexpectedly

Network Indicators:

Not applicable - this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability

SIEM Query:

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

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-40828

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-281

Published: July 29, 2024

Last Updated: November 4, 2025

🔗 References

http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/18 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/19 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/20 Mailing List
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214118 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214119 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214120 Vendor Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/18 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/19 Mailing List
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/20 Mailing List
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214118 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214119 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214120 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214118
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214119
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214120

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