CVE-2024-44192
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows malicious web content to cause unexpected process crashes in Apple's WebKit browser engine. It affects users of Safari and Apple operating systems with vulnerable versions. The issue is a denial-of-service vulnerability that can crash the browser or application processing the malicious content.
💻 Affected Systems
- Safari
- watchOS
- macOS
- visionOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
- tvOS
📦 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 →Safari by Apple
Tvos by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete browser/application crash leading to denial of service, potential loss of unsaved work, and disruption of user activities.
Likely Case
Temporary browser crash when visiting malicious websites, requiring restart of the affected application.
If Mitigated
No impact if patched versions are installed; crashes are contained to the affected process without system-wide effects.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (visiting malicious website) but no authentication. No public exploit code has been disclosed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: watchOS 11, macOS Sequoia 15, Safari 18, visionOS 2, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, tvOS 18
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/121238
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings/Preferences. 2. Go to Software Update. 3. Install available updates for your operating system. 4. For Safari on macOS, update through App Store or System Preferences. 5. Restart device after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript
allPrevents execution of malicious JavaScript that could trigger the vulnerability
Safari: Safari > Settings > Security > uncheck 'Enable JavaScript'
Use Content Blockers
allBlock known malicious websites and scripts
Install reputable content blocker extensions from App Store
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web filtering to block known malicious domains
- Educate users to avoid suspicious websites and links
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS/browser version against vulnerable versions listCheck Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion; iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version; Safari: Safari > About SafariVerify Fix Applied:
Verify OS/browser version matches or exceeds patched versions📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected Safari/WebKit process crashes
- Browser crash reports in Console.app
Network Indicators:
- Connections to suspicious domains followed by browser crashes
SIEM Query:
source="apple_system_logs" AND (process="Safari" OR process="WebKit") AND event="crash"🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121238
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121240
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121241
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121248
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121249
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121250
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/06/msg00016.html
