CVE-2024-27791 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/24/2024
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.7.5 and iPadOS 16.7.5, iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3, macOS Monterey 12.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3, macOS Ventura 13.6.4, tvOS 17.3. An app may be able to corrupt coprocessor memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27791 represents a critical memory corruption flaw that affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS. This issue specifically targets the coprocessor memory management mechanisms within Apple's ecosystem, creating potential pathways for malicious applications to manipulate system memory structures. The vulnerability was addressed through enhanced validation checks that strengthen the memory protection boundaries between application processes and system coprocessors. The fix was implemented across multiple versions including iOS 16.7.5 and iPadOS 16.7.5, iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3, macOS Monterey 12.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3, macOS Ventura 13.6.4, and tvOS 17.3, demonstrating Apple's comprehensive approach to patching this memory corruption vulnerability.
The technical nature of this flaw falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited to manipulate coprocessor memory structures. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can potentially allow an application to write to memory locations that should be protected or to corrupt memory in ways that could lead to system instability or privilege escalation. The vulnerability represents a weakness in the memory management subsystem where proper bounds checking and memory protection mechanisms were insufficient to prevent unauthorized memory modifications. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would be categorized under CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, or CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflows, though the specific nature of coprocessor memory corruption suggests a more complex memory management issue. The vulnerability's impact is significant as it allows for potential privilege escalation and system compromise through memory manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-27791 extends beyond simple application-level memory corruption to potentially affect system stability and security posture. When an application can corrupt coprocessor memory, it creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate system-level processes that control hardware components and security features. This vulnerability could enable malicious actors to bypass security controls, access protected system resources, or potentially gain elevated privileges within the operating system. The implications are particularly severe in environments where Apple devices handle sensitive data or operate in high-security contexts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and system privileges, and T1547, which covers registry run keys and startup folder modifications. The vulnerability's potential for privilege escalation and system compromise makes it a high-priority target for exploitation in advanced persistent threat campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-27791 require immediate deployment of the patched operating system versions across all affected devices. Organizations should prioritize updating iOS 16.7.5 and iPadOS 16.7.5, iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3, macOS Monterey 12.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3, macOS Ventura 13.6.4, and tvOS 17.3 to eliminate the memory corruption vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious application behavior and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The enhanced validation checks introduced in the patches serve as a preventive measure against similar vulnerabilities, though organizations should maintain vigilance regarding potential zero-day exploits that may target similar memory management flaws. Regular security assessments and application whitelisting policies can further reduce the risk of exploitation, while network segmentation and endpoint protection solutions should be deployed to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts that might leverage this vulnerability.