CVE-2024-54499
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in Apple's image processing components that could allow arbitrary code execution when processing malicious images. It affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, macOS, visionOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Users who process untrusted images on affected systems are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Apple iOS
- Apple iPadOS
- Apple macOS
- Apple visionOS
- Apple tvOS
- Apple watchOS
📦 What is this software?
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 →Tvos by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with attacker gaining the same privileges as the user processing the image, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Application crash or limited code execution within the sandbox of the affected application, potentially allowing data exfiltration from that application.
If Mitigated
Application crash with no code execution if exploit fails or if memory protections are effective.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires processing a maliciously crafted image, which typically requires user interaction or automated image processing. No public exploit code is known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, visionOS 2.2, tvOS 18.2, watchOS 11.2
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/121837
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings app. 2. Go to General > Software Update. 3. Download and install the latest available update. 4. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable automatic image processing
allPrevent automatic processing of images from untrusted sources in applications and web browsers.
Use application sandboxing
macOSEnsure applications that process images run with minimal privileges and sandboxing enabled.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict image processing to trusted sources only
- Implement network filtering to block suspicious image downloads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check system version against affected versions list. On macOS: System Settings > General > About. On iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About.Check Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion, iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify system version is equal to or greater than patched versions: iOS 18.2+, iPadOS 18.2+, macOS Sequoia 15.2+, visionOS 2.2+, tvOS 18.2+, watchOS 11.2+.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes related to image processing libraries
- Memory access violation errors in system logs
- Unexpected process termination of image-related applications
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections after image processing
- Downloads of suspicious image files from untrusted sources
SIEM Query:
source="*system.log*" AND ("ImageIO" OR "CoreGraphics" OR "libJPEG") AND ("crash" OR "segfault" OR "access violation")