CVE-2024-40855
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a macOS sandbox escape vulnerability where a sandboxed application can bypass security restrictions to access sensitive user data. It affects macOS Ventura, Sequoia, and Sonoma versions before the patched releases. Users running unpatched macOS versions are vulnerable to potential data exposure.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
📦 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
A malicious sandboxed app could access sensitive user data including passwords, encryption keys, personal documents, and other protected information stored on the system.
Likely Case
Malicious apps from untrusted sources could access user data they shouldn't have permission to read, potentially leading to data theft or privacy violations.
If Mitigated
With proper app vetting and security controls, the risk is limited to apps that have already passed through Apple's review process or sideloaded apps.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the user to run a malicious sandboxed application. No public exploit code has been disclosed in the provided references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Ventura 13.7.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, macOS Sequoia 15
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/121238
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 App Installation Sources
macOSOnly allow app installations from the App Store and identified developers
System Settings > Privacy & Security > Allow apps downloaded from: App Store
Monitor Sandboxed App Behavior
macOSUse macOS security tools to monitor sandboxed application behavior and file access patterns
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to restrict which applications can run on affected systems
- Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for unusual file access patterns by sandboxed applications
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is Ventura <13.7.1, Sonoma <14.7.1, or Sequoia <15, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version is Ventura 13.7.1 or later, Sonoma 14.7.1 or later, or Sequoia 15 or later.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns by sandboxed applications in unified logs
- Sandbox violation logs in system.log or unified logging system
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="macos" AND (process="sandbox" OR event="sandbox_violation") AND (file_access="sensitive" OR path_contains="Keychain" OR path_contains="Library/Application Support")