CVE-2024-23248 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/08/2024
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.4. Processing a file may lead to a denial-of-service or potentially disclose memory contents.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23248 represents a memory handling flaw within macOS Sonoma 14.4 that manifests when processing specific file inputs. This issue falls under the category of memory safety vulnerabilities and demonstrates the ongoing challenges in ensuring robust memory management within operating system components. The vulnerability was addressed through enhanced memory handling mechanisms, indicating that the underlying problem stemmed from improper memory allocation, deallocation, or access patterns during file processing operations. The fix implemented in macOS Sonoma 14.4 specifically targets the conditions that could lead to memory corruption or exposure during file handling processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability presents significant operational risks to macOS users and organizations relying on the affected system. When a malicious or malformed file is processed, the system may experience a denial-of-service condition that could disrupt normal operations and potentially expose sensitive memory contents to unauthorized access. This dual impact of denial-of-service and potential information disclosure aligns with common attack patterns targeting memory corruption vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates how improper memory handling can create exploitable conditions that adversaries might leverage to either disrupt system availability or extract confidential information from memory spaces. The issue's classification as a memory handling problem suggests it may have originated from buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or similar memory safety violations that are frequently categorized under CWE-121, CWE-122, or CWE-125 depending on the specific implementation details.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability impacts the overall security posture of macOS systems by creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited in targeted attacks or broader malware campaigns. Organizations running affected macOS versions face risks of system disruption and potential data exposure, particularly in environments where file processing is frequent or where users may encounter malicious files through email attachments, web downloads, or other common attack vectors. The vulnerability's potential for information disclosure makes it particularly concerning for systems handling sensitive data or operating in security-sensitive environments. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader memory safety assessments and implement the macOS Sonoma 14.4 update as a priority measure to address the identified memory handling deficiencies.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2024-23248 centers on the mandatory deployment of macOS Sonoma 14.4 updates across all affected systems. This update addresses the root cause by implementing improved memory handling mechanisms that prevent the conditions leading to denial-of-service and memory disclosure scenarios. System administrators should prioritize this patch deployment while monitoring for any potential compatibility issues with existing applications or services that may rely on specific memory behaviors. The fix aligns with industry best practices for memory safety and follows established security frameworks that emphasize the importance of timely patch management. Organizations should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as file validation controls, sandboxing mechanisms, and network monitoring to further reduce the risk exposure associated with file processing operations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of memory safety in operating system design and the need for continuous security improvements to address emerging threats in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.