CVE-2024-23231 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/08/2024
A privacy issue was addressed with improved private data redaction for log entries. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.7.6 and iPadOS 16.7.6, iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, macOS Ventura 13.6.5, watchOS 10.4. An app may be able to access user-sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23231 represents a privacy flaw in Apple's operating systems that allows apps to potentially access user-sensitive data through inadequate log entry redaction mechanisms. This issue affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, demonstrating the widespread nature of the privacy concern. The vulnerability stems from insufficient private data redaction practices within system logs, creating potential exposure pathways for sensitive user information that should remain protected. The problem is particularly concerning given that it affects core operating system functionality where log entries are routinely generated and maintained for system diagnostics and monitoring purposes.
The technical implementation flaw involves the failure to properly redact sensitive data from log entries that are generated by applications and system processes. When applications write information to system logs, certain user data may be inadvertently included in these entries without adequate sanitization or masking. This creates a scenario where malicious applications or compromised processes could potentially access these log entries and extract sensitive information such as personal identifiers, authentication tokens, or other confidential data. The vulnerability operates at the system-level logging mechanism where data sanitization processes fail to adequately filter or remove sensitive information before log entries are stored or processed. This weakness aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper data sanitization and redaction practices in system components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors and threat scenarios. An attacker with access to system logs could potentially extract sensitive user information through log file analysis, creating opportunities for identity theft, credential compromise, or other privacy violations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where system logs are accessible to multiple applications or where logging mechanisms are not properly secured. This issue affects the fundamental trust model of Apple's operating systems, where users expect their sensitive data to remain protected even within system-level processes. The exposure of user-sensitive data through log entries represents a significant breach of privacy expectations and could lead to widespread consequences for affected users.
Apple's response to this vulnerability involved implementing improved private data redaction mechanisms across all affected operating system versions, including iOS 16.7.6 and iPadOS 16.7.6, iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, macOS Ventura 13.6.5, and watchOS 10.4. These updates address the root cause by strengthening the sanitization processes that handle log entry data before storage. The mitigation strategy follows established security practices for protecting sensitive information in system logs, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1070.004 which covers indicator removal through log manipulation and data sanitization. Organizations should prioritize updating affected systems to ensure proper log redaction mechanisms are in place. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for unauthorized access to system logs and verify that proper access controls are maintained to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability through lateral movement or privilege escalation techniques.