CVE-2024-44239
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an information disclosure vulnerability in Apple operating systems where an app could leak sensitive kernel state through log entries. It affects multiple Apple devices including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, Apple Watches, and Vision Pro headsets. The issue allows unauthorized access to private kernel data that should be redacted.
💻 Affected Systems
- iOS
- iPadOS
- tvOS
- macOS
- watchOS
- visionOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
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 →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 →Tvos by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker could gain access to sensitive kernel memory contents, potentially leading to further exploitation like privilege escalation or system compromise.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of kernel state data, which could be used to gather intelligence about system internals for future attacks.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if systems are patched, as the vulnerability only allows information disclosure rather than direct code execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed and running on the target device to access log entries containing kernel state.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: tvOS 18.1, iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, iOS 17.7.1, iPadOS 17.7.1, macOS Ventura 13.7.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, watchOS 11.1, visionOS 2.1
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/121563
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on iOS/iPadOS/tvOS/watchOS/visionOS devices. 2. On macOS, go to System Settings > General > Software Update. 3. Download and install the latest available update. 4. Restart the device after installation completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Installation
allLimit installation of apps to only trusted sources from the App Store to reduce risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor device logs for unusual activity or unauthorized access attempts to kernel-related log entries.
- Implement strict app control policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications on affected devices.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the current OS version against the patched versions listed in the fix_official section. If running an older version, the device is vulnerable.Check Version:
On iOS/iPadOS/tvOS/watchOS/visionOS: Settings > General > About > Version. On macOS: System Settings > General > About > macOS version.Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm the OS version matches or exceeds the patched versions: tvOS 18.1+, iOS 18.1+, iPadOS 18.1+, iOS 17.7.1+, iPadOS 17.7.1+, macOS Ventura 13.7.1+, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1+, watchOS 11.1+, visionOS 2.1+.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual log entries containing kernel state data or attempts to access sensitive log files by apps.
Network Indicators:
- No direct network indicators as this is a local vulnerability.
SIEM Query:
Search for app processes accessing system log files (e.g., /var/log/system.log) or kernel log buffers on Apple devices.🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121563
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121565
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121566
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121567
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121568
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121569
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121570
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/10
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/11
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/12
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/13
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/15
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/16
