CVE-2024-23250 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/08/2024
An access issue was addressed with improved access restrictions. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, watchOS 10.4. An app may be able to access Bluetooth-connected microphones without user permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23250 represents a significant access control flaw in Apple's operating systems that undermines user privacy and device security. This issue stems from insufficient access restrictions that allow applications to potentially access Bluetooth-connected microphones without proper user consent, creating a serious privacy risk for affected users. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, and watchOS 10.4, indicating a widespread impact across the Apple ecosystem. The flaw specifically relates to how the operating system handles Bluetooth audio device permissions, where the access control mechanisms fail to properly enforce user consent requirements for microphone access through Bluetooth connections.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. This classification reflects the core problem where the system's authorization mechanisms are insufficient to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive hardware components. The flaw operates at the interface level between application frameworks and hardware peripherals, where Bluetooth audio devices are treated with inadequate permission checks. When an application requests access to audio input devices, the system should verify that user consent has been explicitly granted, particularly for sensitive devices like microphones. However, the vulnerability allows malicious or poorly designed applications to bypass these checks and access Bluetooth microphones without proper authorization.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-23250 extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential surveillance capabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. An attacker with access to a vulnerable device could potentially deploy applications that silently capture audio input from Bluetooth microphones, creating covert listening capabilities that would be extremely difficult for users to detect. This vulnerability particularly concerns users who rely on Bluetooth microphones for professional audio applications, as it could enable unauthorized access to sensitive communications or recordings. The risk is compounded by the fact that users may not be aware of which applications have access to their Bluetooth audio devices, especially when these devices are connected automatically upon system startup. This represents a significant breach of the principle of least privilege, where applications should only have access to resources necessary for their legitimate operation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate system updates to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory. Users should promptly install iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, and watchOS 10.4 to resolve the access control issue. Additionally, system administrators should review application permissions and implement strict application deployment policies that limit which applications can access Bluetooth audio devices. The fix likely implements enhanced access control checks that properly validate user consent before allowing applications to access Bluetooth microphones, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1193 which covers permissions and access control mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual Bluetooth device connections and audio input activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of device permissions and application access controls should be conducted to ensure that the patched systems maintain proper security configurations and that no unauthorized applications have been granted microphone access through Bluetooth connections.