CVE-2024-23226 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/08/2024
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, visionOS 1.1, watchOS 10.4. Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical memory handling flaw that could enable remote code execution when processing web content across multiple Apple operating systems. The issue affects iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, visionOS 1.1, and watchOS 10.4, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management during web content processing, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected devices.
The technical nature of this flaw falls under memory safety issues commonly classified as CWE-122 Heap Buffer Overflow or similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. When web content is processed, improper memory handling allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical program data or execution pointers. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities, making it accessible to attackers without requiring specialized privileges or physical access to devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially enable large-scale attacks across Apple's user base. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in Safari or other web browsers on affected systems, would trigger the memory corruption and allow execution of arbitrary code. This capability could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability's presence in multiple operating systems suggests it affects both consumer and enterprise environments, making it particularly concerning for organizations with Apple device deployments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate system updates to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory. Organizations should prioritize deployment of iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, visionOS 1.1, and watchOS 10.4 across all affected devices. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions and monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as the vulnerability could be exploited through web-based JavaScript execution. Security teams should also implement enhanced monitoring for memory-related anomalies and consider network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of continuous memory safety auditing and proper input validation in web rendering engines, as highlighted in industry best practices for secure coding and vulnerability management.