CVE-2024-54537
📋 TL;DR
This macOS vulnerability allows malicious applications to bypass sandbox restrictions and access files outside their designated container. It affects macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia users who haven't applied security updates. The flaw enables unauthorized file reading and writing.
💻 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 →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
Complete system compromise through privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or malware persistence by writing to system directories.
Likely Case
Data theft from user directories, modification of configuration files, or installation of additional malicious payloads.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if application sandboxing is properly configured and least privilege principles are followed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to install and run a malicious application. No public exploit code is available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Ventura 13.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/121839
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Open System Settings 2. Click General 3. Click Software Update 4. Install available updates 5. Follow on-screen instructions
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Application Restriction
allOnly install applications from trusted sources like the Mac App Store or identified developers
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to restrict which applications can run
- Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for sandbox escape attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version in System Settings > General > AboutCheck Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify macOS version is Ventura 13.7.2, Sonoma 14.7.2, or Sequoia 15.2 or later📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns from applications
- Sandbox violation logs in Unified Logging System
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from applications attempting to exfiltrate data
SIEM Query:
process where (parent_process_name contains "sandbox" AND process_name not in allowed_apps) OR (file_access where process_path contains "/Applications/" AND file_path not contains "/Users/" AND file_path not contains "/Library/Containers/")