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CVE-2024-44148

10.0 CRITICAL

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a sandbox escape vulnerability in macOS that allows malicious applications to bypass security restrictions. An attacker could execute arbitrary code outside the app's sandbox, potentially gaining elevated privileges. This affects macOS systems running versions before Sequoia 15.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • macOS
Versions: All versions before macOS Sequoia 15
Operating Systems: macOS
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: Only affects macOS systems; requires local access or malicious application installation.

📦 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...

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⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise with root privileges, data theft, persistence installation, and lateral movement across the network.

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to access sensitive files, install malware, or modify system configurations.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if proper application vetting and least privilege principles are enforced, though sandbox integrity would still be compromised.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW
🏢 Internal Only: HIGH

🎯 Exploit Status

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

Requires user interaction to install/run malicious application; no public exploit code available at this time.

🛠️ 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

Restrict installation of untrusted applications using MDM or parental controls

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Implement strict application allowlisting policies
  • Monitor for suspicious process behavior and sandbox violations

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check macOS version: if earlier than 15.0, system is vulnerable

Check Version:

sw_vers

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify macOS version is 15.0 or later after update

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Sandbox violation logs
  • Unexpected process spawning
  • File access outside app container

Network Indicators:

  • Unusual outbound connections from sandboxed applications

SIEM Query:

process where parent_process_name contains "sandbox" and process_name not in allowed_apps_list

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-44148
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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