CVE-2024-54518
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an out-of-bounds memory access vulnerability in Apple's coprocessor handling that could allow a malicious app to corrupt coprocessor memory. The issue affects multiple Apple operating systems including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Users running affected versions of these operating systems are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
- watchOS
- tvOS
📦 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
A malicious app could gain elevated privileges, execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, or cause system instability and crashes.
Likely Case
An app could cause system instability, crashes, or potentially gain access to sensitive data processed by the coprocessor.
If Mitigated
With proper app sandboxing and security controls, the impact would be limited to the app's sandbox, preventing system-wide compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed and executed. No public exploit code is currently available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Sequoia 15.2, watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/121837
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings/System Preferences. 2. Navigate to Software Update. 3. Download and install the latest update. 4. Restart the device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Installation
allOnly allow installation of apps from trusted sources like the official App Store.
For macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General > Allow apps downloaded from: App Store
For iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > Device Management > Restrict App Installation
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict app installation policies to prevent untrusted apps from being installed
- Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and monitor for suspicious app behavior
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the current OS version against the patched versions listed in the fix information.Check Version:
For macOS: sw_vers -productVersion. For iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version. For watchOS: Watch app > General > About > Version. For tvOS: Settings > General > About > Version.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify the OS version matches or exceeds the patched versions: macOS 15.2+, iOS 18.2+, iPadOS 18.2+, watchOS 11.2+, tvOS 18.2+📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected app crashes, kernel panics, or system instability logs
- Unauthorized app installation attempts
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network connections from apps to unknown domains
SIEM Query:
source="apple_system_logs" AND (event="kernel_panic" OR event="app_crash") AND app_name NOT IN ("known_trusted_apps")