Login Sign Up

CVE-2024-40848

7.5 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a downgrade vulnerability in macOS code-signing restrictions that could allow an attacker to read sensitive information. The issue affects macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia before specific security updates. Apple has addressed this with additional code-signing restrictions in the latest updates.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • macOS
Versions: Versions before macOS Ventura 13.7, macOS Sonoma 14.7, and macOS Sequoia 15
Operating Systems: macOS
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: All default configurations of affected macOS versions are vulnerable until patched.

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

An attacker could bypass code-signing protections to access sensitive system information or user data, potentially leading to data theft or further system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

An attacker with local access could exploit this to read sensitive information that should be protected by code-signing restrictions.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper patching, the vulnerability is eliminated through enhanced code-signing enforcement.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This appears to require local access or specific conditions rather than being directly exploitable over the internet.
🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could be exploited by malicious insiders or attackers who gain initial access to vulnerable macOS systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No
Weaponized: UNKNOWN
Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No
Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation likely requires local access and understanding of macOS code-signing mechanisms.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: macOS Ventura 13.7, macOS Sonoma 14.7, macOS Sequoia 15

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/121234

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open System Settings 2. Click General 3. Click Software Update 4. Install available updates 5. Restart when prompted

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict local access

all

Limit physical and remote access to vulnerable macOS systems

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Implement strict access controls to limit who can interact with vulnerable systems
  • Monitor for unusual process behavior or attempts to bypass code-signing restrictions

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is below Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, or Sequoia 15, the system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

sw_vers

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify macOS version is Ventura 13.7, Sonoma 14.7, or Sequoia 15 or later in System Settings > General > About.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Unusual code-signing validation failures
  • Processes attempting to bypass code-signing restrictions

Network Indicators:

  • Not primarily network exploitable

SIEM Query:

Search for process execution events with unusual code-signing attributes or validation failures

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-40848
CVSS v3 Score: 7.5 (HIGH)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Published: September 17, 2024
Last Updated: November 4, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON