CVE-2024-23242 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/08/2024
A privacy issue was addressed by not logging contents of text fields. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4. An app may be able to view Mail data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23242 represents a privacy concern within Apple's mail application ecosystem that was resolved through updates to iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 along with macOS Sonoma 14.4. This issue stems from improper logging mechanisms that inadvertently captured sensitive data from text fields within the mail application. The flaw allowed for potential unauthorized access to email contents through compromised logging processes, creating a significant risk for user privacy and data confidentiality. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of information exposure issues that can lead to data leakage through improper logging practices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the mail application's logging subsystem which was configured to capture and store text field contents without proper sanitization or access controls. This represents a failure in secure logging practices where sensitive data elements were being recorded in system logs without adequate protection measures. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and data handling procedures within the application's logging framework, creating an attack surface that could be exploited by malicious applications or processes with appropriate privileges. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses information exposure through improper error handling and logging mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-23242 extends beyond simple data leakage to encompass potential privacy violations and data integrity concerns within Apple's ecosystem. Malicious applications with sufficient privileges could potentially access and extract sensitive email information from system logs, undermining the confidentiality assurances typically provided by secure email applications. This vulnerability affects users across multiple Apple platforms including iOS devices, iPads, and Mac computers, creating a widespread risk profile that impacts the overall security posture of Apple's mobile and desktop environments. The issue represents a significant concern for enterprise users who rely on email systems for sensitive communications and data exchange.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing proper logging controls that prevent sensitive data from being captured in system logs while maintaining adequate diagnostic capabilities for legitimate troubleshooting purposes. Organizations should ensure all affected systems are updated to iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, or macOS Sonoma 14.4 to receive the patched logging mechanisms. System administrators should review existing logging configurations to identify and remove any sensitive data from log files, while implementing proper access controls and audit procedures. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure logging practices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1562.006 which addresses credential dumping and data access through improper system logging. The fix addresses the root cause by modifying the logging behavior to exclude text field contents, thereby preventing unauthorized access to email data through log file examination.