CVE-2024-44213
📋 TL;DR
A URL parsing vulnerability in macOS allows attackers in privileged network positions to leak sensitive user information. This affects macOS Ventura and Sonoma before specific security updates. The issue involves improper input validation during URL processing.
💻 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
An attacker could intercept network traffic and extract sensitive user data like authentication tokens, session cookies, or personal information from vulnerable macOS systems.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of user-specific data when users access malicious or compromised websites while on untrusted networks.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if systems are patched and users avoid untrusted networks.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires attacker to be in a privileged network position (man-in-the-middle). No public exploit code has been disclosed in the referenced security lists.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Ventura 13.7.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/121568
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Install available security updates. 3. Restart the system when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Avoid untrusted networks
allPrevent exploitation by avoiding public Wi-Fi and untrusted networks where attackers could achieve privileged network positions.
Use VPN on untrusted networks
allEncrypt network traffic to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict network access to only trusted networks and avoid public Wi-Fi
- Implement network segmentation to limit potential attack surface
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > About. If version is Ventura before 13.7.1 or Sonoma before 14.7.1, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version is Ventura 13.7.1 or later, or Sonoma 14.7.1 or later.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual network traffic patterns, unexpected URL parsing errors in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Suspicious man-in-the-middle activity, unexpected data exfiltration from macOS clients
SIEM Query:
source="macos_system_logs" AND (event="url_parsing_error" OR event="network_traffic_intercept")