CVE-2024-44206
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows users to bypass web content restrictions through improper URL protocol handling in Apple operating systems and Safari. It affects users running vulnerable versions of tvOS, visionOS, Safari, watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The high CVSS score indicates significant security implications.
💻 Affected Systems
- tvOS
- visionOS
- Safari
- watchOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
- macOS Sonoma
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
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
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could bypass critical web security controls to execute malicious code, access restricted content, or perform unauthorized actions within the browser context.
Likely Case
Users could circumvent parental controls, content filters, or enterprise web restrictions to access blocked websites or content.
If Mitigated
With proper patching, the vulnerability is eliminated; with network controls, impact is limited to bypassing local content restrictions only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation likely requires user interaction (visiting a malicious URL) but no authentication. Apple has patched this in multiple systems simultaneously.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: tvOS 17.6, visionOS 1.3, Safari 17.6, watchOS 10.6, iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/120909
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings app. 2. Navigate to General > Software Update. 3. Download and install the available update. 4. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Use alternative browser
allTemporarily use Chrome, Firefox, or Edge instead of Safari to avoid the vulnerability.
Enable strict content filtering
allConfigure network or device-level content filtering to block malicious URLs.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network-level URL filtering and web proxy controls
- Educate users about phishing risks and suspicious URL handling
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check system version in Settings > General > About on Apple devices, or Safari > About Safari on macOS.Check Version:
On macOS: sw_vers; On iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm system version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in fix_official.patch_version.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual URL protocol handling in web logs
- Access to typically restricted domains
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests bypassing expected content filters
- Unusual traffic to newly accessible domains
SIEM Query:
web.url CONTAINS 'malicious-protocol:' OR web.action='bypass_restriction'