CVE-2024-44277 – This is a memory corruption vulnerability in Ap... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-44277?

CVE-2024-44277 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This is a memory corruption vulnerability in Apple's iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and tvOS kernels that allows malicious apps to cause system crashes or corrupt kernel memory. It affects users running vulnerable versions of these operating systems before the patched releases. The vulnerability could lead to denial of service or potentially more severe impacts.

📋 TL;DR

This is a memory corruption vulnerability in Apple's iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and tvOS kernels that allows malicious apps to cause system crashes or corrupt kernel memory. It affects users running vulnerable versions of these operating systems before the patched releases. The vulnerability could lead to denial of service or potentially more severe impacts.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

iOS
iPadOS
visionOS
tvOS

Versions: Versions before iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1, tvOS 18.1

Operating Systems: iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, tvOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All standard configurations are vulnerable. Requires app installation capability (App Store or enterprise deployment).

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges, complete system compromise, or persistent denial of service.

🟠

Likely Case

App-induced system crashes (kernel panics) causing denial of service and potential data loss from unsaved work.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited to denial of service from crashes if proper app sandboxing and security controls are enforced.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires malicious app installation, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Malicious apps could be distributed internally via enterprise deployment or social engineering.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires malicious app installation. Memory corruption vulnerabilities (CWE-787) can be complex to exploit reliably.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1, tvOS 18.1

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/121563

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Download and install the available update. 3. Restart device when prompted.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict App Installation

all

Limit app installation to App Store only and disable enterprise app deployment.

Settings > General > Device Management (for enterprise controls)
Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps > Don't Allow

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict app vetting and allowlisting policies for enterprise deployments
Monitor for unexpected system crashes or kernel panics as potential exploitation indicators

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Settings > General > About > Version. If version is earlier than iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1, or tvOS 18.1, the device is vulnerable.

Check Version:

Settings > General > About > Version (no CLI command on consumer Apple devices)

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify the version shows iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1, or tvOS 18.1 or later in Settings > General > About > Version.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
Unexpected system restarts
Crash reports mentioning kernel memory corruption

Network Indicators:

Unusual app installation traffic from untrusted sources

SIEM Query:

Search for: 'kernel panic' OR 'system crash' OR 'unexpected restart' on Apple devices with versions < 18.1

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-44277

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-787

Published: October 28, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/en-us/121563 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/121566 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/121569 Vendor Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/11
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/15
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/16
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/9

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