CVE-2024-23215 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/23/2024
An issue was addressed with improved handling of temporary files. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3, tvOS 17.3, watchOS 10.3. An app may be able to access user-sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the temporary file handling mechanisms of Apple's operating systems, specifically affecting iOS 17.2 and earlier versions along with corresponding iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS releases. The flaw stems from inadequate sandboxing and permission controls that govern how temporary files are created, managed, and accessed within the system architecture. According to CWE-377, this issue falls under the category of insecure temporary file creation, where improper handling of temporary resources can lead to information disclosure vulnerabilities. The vulnerability enables malicious applications to exploit weak file access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data stored in temporary file locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper file system permissions and isolation between applications during temporary file operations. When applications create temporary files, the system should enforce strict access controls that prevent unauthorized entities from reading or writing to these files. However, in affected versions, the temporary file creation process fails to properly implement these security measures, creating potential attack vectors for privilege escalation. This weakness allows an app to manipulate temporary file locations or access temporary files created by other applications, leading to information disclosure. The issue is particularly concerning because temporary files often contain sensitive user data, session tokens, or application state information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could use the information disclosure to craft more convincing social engineering attacks or gain additional system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that could compromise user privacy and system integrity. Attackers could exploit this weakness to access sensitive information such as personal documents, communication data, or authentication tokens stored in temporary file locations. The vulnerability affects the core system security model by weakening the application sandboxing mechanisms that are fundamental to Apple's security architecture. Users running affected versions face increased risk of data breaches, identity theft, and potential compromise of their personal information. The issue particularly impacts scenarios where multiple applications interact with temporary files or where applications require elevated privileges for legitimate system operations. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, especially in environments where Apple devices are used for sensitive data processing or contain confidential information.
The mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of the security updates released by Apple, specifically iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3, tvOS 17.3, and watchOS 10.3. These updates implement improved temporary file handling mechanisms that enforce stricter access controls and sandboxing policies. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected devices and monitor for any unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious temporary file access patterns, conducting regular security audits of application permissions, and maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the underlying issue by implementing proper file system permissions, enhancing temporary file creation processes, and strengthening the isolation mechanisms between applications. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for abnormal temporary file operations and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of continuous security monitoring and timely patch management in maintaining robust security postures against evolving threats.