CVE-2024-54486
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to disclose process memory by tricking a user into processing a maliciously crafted font file. It affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Users who process untrusted font files are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- iOS
- iPadOS
- macOS
- watchOS
- tvOS
- 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 →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
Sensitive process memory disclosure could lead to credential theft, privilege escalation, or bypass of security mechanisms.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of non-critical process memory, potentially revealing application state or limited system information.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper patch management and user education about suspicious font files.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to process malicious font files. No public exploit code is known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: iPadOS 17.7.3, watchOS 11.2, visionOS 2.2, tvOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, macOS Ventura 13.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/121837
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings app. 2. Navigate to General > Software Update. 3. Install the latest available update for your device. 4. Restart device after installation completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict font file processing
allConfigure systems to block or restrict processing of untrusted font files from unknown sources.
User education
allTrain users to avoid opening font files from untrusted sources and to verify file integrity.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted font processing applications
- Deploy network filtering to block download of font files from untrusted sources
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS version against affected versions. On macOS: System Settings > General > About. On iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About.Check Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion. iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version matches or exceeds the patched versions listed in the CVE description.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual font file processing activity
- Memory access violations in font-related processes
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of font files from suspicious sources
- Unusual outbound connections after font processing
SIEM Query:
process_name:"fontd" OR process_name:"CoreText" AND (event_type:"memory_access" OR event_type:"crash")🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121837
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121838
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121839
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121840
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121842
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121843
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121844
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121845
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Dec/10
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Dec/12
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Dec/6
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Dec/7
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Dec/8
