CVE-2024-27805 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2024
An issue was addressed with improved validation of environment variables. 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, watchOS 10.5. An app may be able to access sensitive user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27805 represents a critical security flaw in Apple's operating systems that stems from insufficient validation of environment variables within the system's runtime environment. This issue affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, with patches released across several version lines. The flaw allows for improper handling of environment variable inputs which can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive user data. Environment variables serve as critical system parameters that influence application behavior and system operations, making their validation essential for maintaining system integrity and user privacy.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate sanitization and validation mechanisms applied to environment variables during application execution. When applications process environment variables without proper validation, they may inadvertently expose system resources or user data to malicious manipulation. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of environment variable injection attacks, where attackers can manipulate system parameters to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The weakness specifically manifests when the system fails to properly validate or sanitize environment variable inputs before they are processed by applications, creating potential pathways for data leakage or privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-27805 extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling sophisticated attack vectors that could compromise user privacy and system security. Applications running on affected systems may inadvertently disclose sensitive information through improperly validated environment variables, creating opportunities for attackers to access personal data, system credentials, or other confidential information. This vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, where adversaries exploit system configuration weaknesses to obtain unauthorized access. The scope of potential impact includes both local and remote attack scenarios, depending on how environment variables are utilized within the application context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-27805 require immediate deployment of the security patches released by Apple for affected versions of their operating systems. System administrators and users must prioritize updating to the patched 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, and watchOS 10.5. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to ensure all affected devices receive timely updates. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual environment variable usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the underlying CWE categories related to improper input validation and environment variable handling, which are fundamental security principles that should be enforced throughout application development and system configuration processes.