CVE-2024-27848 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2024
This issue was addressed with improved permissions checking. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5. A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that existed in Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems prior to version 17.5. The issue stemmed from inadequate permission validation mechanisms within the system's security architecture, allowing malicious applications to bypass normal access controls and escalate their privileges to the root level. Such a vulnerability would enable attackers to gain complete control over affected devices, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, and persistent backdoor access. The flaw was particularly concerning because it directly undermined the fundamental security model that separates user applications from system-level operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involved a race condition or logic flaw in the operating system's permission checking routines where legitimate applications could exploit timing windows or bypass validation checks during process initialization or system calls. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation'. The vulnerability exploited the trust model between the application layer and system kernel, allowing a malicious app to manipulate system calls or access protected kernel interfaces that should have been restricted to system processes only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was severe given that iOS and macOS devices are widely used in enterprise and personal environments where sensitive data resides. Attackers could leverage this flaw to install persistent malware, exfiltrate confidential information, or establish footholds for further network infiltration. The root privilege escalation capability meant that once an attacker gained initial access through a malicious app, they could effectively bypass all other security controls including encryption, firewall rules, and user access restrictions. Organizations running affected versions of iOS and macOS faced significant risk of data breaches and system compromise, particularly in environments where mobile device management solutions were not properly configured to prevent unauthorized app installations.
Apple's resolution involved implementing enhanced permission checking mechanisms that properly validate application privileges before allowing system-level operations. The fix required modifications to the kernel's access control list validation routines and strengthened runtime checks during application execution. Organizations should immediately deploy iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates for mobile devices, along with macOS Sonoma 14.5 for desktop systems. Additional mitigations include implementing strict app installation policies, using mobile device management solutions to restrict app distribution, and conducting security audits to identify potentially compromised devices. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to malicious apps that may have exploited this vulnerability prior to patch deployment, and consider implementing network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts.