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CVE-2024-44146

10.0 CRITICAL

📋 TL;DR

This critical macOS vulnerability allows malicious applications to escape their sandbox restrictions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to system resources or other applications' data. It affects macOS systems running versions prior to Sequoia 15, putting users who run untrusted applications at risk.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • macOS
Versions: All versions prior to macOS Sequoia 15
Operating Systems: macOS
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: Affects all macOS installations with default sandboxing enabled. Requires user to execute a malicious application.

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise where a malicious app gains root privileges, accesses sensitive data, installs persistent malware, or modifies system files.

🟠

Likely Case

Malicious app accesses files outside its sandbox, steals user data, or performs unauthorized actions with elevated privileges.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if only trusted applications from verified sources are installed and system is properly segmented.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Requires user to download and execute malicious application, but common attack vector through phishing or compromised websites.
🏢 Internal Only: LOW - Requires local application execution, though could be exploited via internal software distribution or compromised internal tools.

🎯 Exploit Status

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

Requires user interaction to execute malicious application. Logic flaw in file handling makes exploitation feasible for skilled attackers.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 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 macOS Sequoia 15 update 5. Restart when prompted

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Application Restriction

all

Only install applications from trusted sources like the Mac App Store or verified developers

Gatekeeper Enforcement

all

Ensure Gatekeeper is enabled to block apps from unidentified developers

sudo spctl --master-enable

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Implement application allowlisting to only permit trusted applications
  • Use network segmentation to isolate vulnerable systems from critical resources

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check macOS version: if earlier than Sequoia 15, system is vulnerable

Check Version:

sw_vers

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify macOS version is 15.0 or higher after update

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Unusual sandbox violation logs
  • Unexpected file access patterns by applications
  • Processes accessing files outside expected sandbox boundaries

Network Indicators:

  • Unusual outbound connections from sandboxed applications
  • Data exfiltration patterns

SIEM Query:

source="macos_sandbox" AND (event="violation" OR event="escape_attempt")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-44146
CVSS v3 Score: 10.0 (CRITICAL)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Published: September 17, 2024
Last Updated: November 4, 2025

🔗 References

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