CVE-2024-44281
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to read memory beyond intended boundaries when parsing malicious files, potentially exposing sensitive user information. It affects macOS Ventura and Sonoma users who open untrusted files. The issue stems from improper input validation in file parsing components.
💻 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
Disclosure of sensitive user data including passwords, authentication tokens, or personal information from memory
Likely Case
Limited information disclosure from application memory, potentially revealing file contents or metadata
If Mitigated
No impact if patched or if users avoid opening untrusted files
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user to open a malicious file. No public exploit code identified in references.
🛠️ 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
2. Click General
3. Click Software Update
4. Install available updates
5. Restart when prompted
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Avoid untrusted files
allDo not open files from untrusted sources
Use sandboxed applications
allOpen files in sandboxed applications to limit potential impact
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to restrict which applications can open files
- Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) to monitor for suspicious file parsing behavior
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > AboutCheck Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version is 13.7.1 or higher for Ventura, or 14.7.1 or higher for Sonoma📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes when parsing files
- Unusual memory access patterns in application logs
Network Indicators:
- File downloads from untrusted sources followed by application crashes
SIEM Query:
source="macos" (event="application_crash" AND process="*parser*") OR (event="file_open" AND file_extension="*" AND source_ip="external")