CVE-2024-27827 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
This issue was addressed through improved state management. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.5, macOS Ventura 13.6.7. An app may be able to read arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical file access flaw that emerged in Apple's macOS operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to the security updates released in macOS Sonoma 14.5 and macOS Ventura 13.6.7. The issue stems from inadequate state management within the system's file access mechanisms, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized file reading operations. The vulnerability allows malicious applications to bypass normal file access controls and retrieve data from arbitrary locations within the system's file structure. This represents a significant escalation from standard permission boundaries that typically protect user data and system integrity. The flaw demonstrates how improper state handling can create persistent security weaknesses that remain exploitable until addressed through comprehensive system updates.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a state management failure that enables an application to maintain or manipulate access states beyond their intended scope. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-362 category of concurrent execution using shared resource vulnerabilities, where improper state tracking allows unauthorized access patterns. The vulnerability operates at the system level rather than application level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by seemingly legitimate applications that have been granted basic permissions. The root cause lies in how the operating system maintains and validates file access contexts, creating opportunities for state manipulation that should not be possible under normal security protocols. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where malicious file access patterns can be established through compromised application states.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized data access, creating potential for comprehensive system reconnaissance and data exfiltration. Attackers could leverage this flaw to access sensitive user data, system configuration files, and potentially other applications' data stores without proper authorization. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where macOS systems may host confidential business data, personal information, or proprietary intellectual property. Organizations that have not yet applied the relevant security patches face heightened risk of data breaches, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to gather information about system configurations, user activities, and sensitive file contents. The remediation process requires immediate deployment of the security updates provided by Apple, as the vulnerability exists in the core operating system functionality rather than in third-party applications.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate deployment of the security patches released for macOS Sonoma 14.5 and macOS Ventura 13.6.7, as these updates specifically address the state management issues that enabled the arbitrary file access. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for any suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual read operations from system directories. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current system patches and implementing robust security monitoring protocols. Organizations should also consider conducting security assessments to identify any applications that might be exploiting the vulnerability before the patches were applied. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be enhanced to detect potential state management issues in other system components, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create substantial security risks. The fix represents a fundamental correction to the operating system's state handling mechanisms, emphasizing the critical nature of proper state management in security-critical systems.