CVE-2024-27800 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2024
This issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.7.8 and iPadOS 16.7.8, iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5, macOS Monterey 12.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5, macOS Ventura 13.6.7, tvOS 17.5, visionOS 1.2, watchOS 10.5. Processing a maliciously crafted message may lead to a denial-of-service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2026
This vulnerability represents a denial-of-service condition that was resolved through code removal rather than patching. The issue affected multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS variants, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. The vulnerability stemmed from improper handling of maliciously crafted messages that could trigger system instability. Security researchers identified that the flaw allowed attackers to craft specific message payloads that would cause the affected systems to become unresponsive or crash entirely. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the category of improper input validation where the system fails to properly sanitize or verify incoming data before processing. The remediation approach of code removal suggests that the vulnerability was in a component that was either deprecated or fundamentally flawed in its implementation, requiring complete elimination rather than incremental fixes. This approach aligns with security best practices when dealing with core system components that cannot be safely patched without risking further instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across Apple's entire ecosystem of devices and operating systems, affecting millions of users who rely on these platforms for daily operations. When exploited, the denial-of-service condition would prevent normal system functionality, potentially requiring device restarts or even complete system recovery procedures. The vulnerability's presence across multiple platforms indicates a systemic issue within Apple's messaging or communication frameworks that handled inter-process communications or network protocols. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability represents a potential vector for attackers to disrupt services or create availability issues for targeted users. The fact that the issue was addressed through complete code removal rather than patching suggests that the vulnerability was either too deeply embedded in the system architecture or posed too high a risk to be safely modified. This approach of code removal is often employed when dealing with critical infrastructure components where even partial fixes could introduce new vulnerabilities or maintain attack surface exposure.
The remediation efforts required users to update their devices to specific versions including iOS 16.7.8, iPadOS 16.7.8, iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS Monterey 12.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5, macOS Ventura 13.6.7, tvOS 17.5, visionOS 1.2, and watchOS 10.5. This comprehensive update strategy ensures that all affected platforms receive the necessary protections, though it also demonstrates the complexity of maintaining security across Apple's diverse ecosystem. The vulnerability's classification aligns with common attack patterns found in the ATT&CK framework under the service stoppage category, where adversaries target system availability rather than data confidentiality or integrity. Organizations implementing these security updates must consider the operational impact of deploying these patches across enterprise environments, particularly given the broad scope of affected platforms. The vulnerability also reflects the ongoing challenge in modern operating systems where complex interdependencies between components can create cascading failures when individual elements are compromised. This incident underscores the importance of continuous security monitoring and the necessity of robust patch management processes to maintain system integrity across multiple operating environments. The remediation approach of complete code removal represents a conservative security posture that prioritizes system stability over backward compatibility, reflecting industry standards that emphasize the critical nature of denial-of-service vulnerabilities in maintaining overall system security.