CVE-2024-40835
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a logic flaw in Apple's Shortcuts automation system that allows shortcuts to access sensitive user data without proper user consent prompts. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. Attackers could potentially create malicious shortcuts that access personal data like contacts, photos, or location information.
💻 Affected Systems
- iOS
- iPadOS
- macOS
- 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 →Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Malicious shortcuts could exfiltrate sensitive personal data including contacts, photos, location history, health data, or authentication tokens without user knowledge or consent.
Likely Case
Attackers could create shortcuts that access limited sensitive data through social engineering or by tricking users into installing malicious shortcuts from untrusted sources.
If Mitigated
With proper user education about only installing trusted shortcuts and keeping systems updated, the risk is significantly reduced to minimal data exposure.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to install or run malicious shortcuts. No public exploit code has been identified in the provided references.
🛠️ 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, 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 for your device. 4. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Shortcuts from Untrusted Sources
allPrevent installation of shortcuts from untrusted sources to reduce attack surface.
Settings > Shortcuts > Allow Untrusted Shortcuts (toggle OFF)
Review and Remove Suspicious Shortcuts
allAudit existing shortcuts and remove any from unknown or untrusted sources.
Open Shortcuts app > My Shortcuts > Review each shortcut > Delete suspicious ones
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies to restrict shortcut installation from untrusted sources
- Educate users about the risks of installing shortcuts from unknown sources and implement security awareness training
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device version in Settings > General > About > Software Version. If version is below patched versions listed, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
Settings > General > About > Software Version (iOS/iPadOS) or About This Mac > macOS Version (macOS)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify device is running patched version: iOS/iPadOS 16.7.9+, iOS/iPadOS 17.6+, macOS Ventura 13.6.8+, macOS Monterey 12.7.6+, watchOS 10.6+, macOS Sonoma 14.6+📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual shortcut creation/modification timestamps
- Shortcuts accessing sensitive data APIs without user prompts
- Shortcuts from unknown sources being installed
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from Shortcuts app to external domains
- Data exfiltration patterns from device
SIEM Query:
device.os.name:"iOS" OR device.os.name:"macOS" AND event.action:"shortcut_executed" AND event.outcome:"success" AND NOT user.interaction:"true"🔗 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
- 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/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
- 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/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/HT214124
