CVE-2024-27860 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/17/2024
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15. An application may be able to read restricted memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27860 represents a memory safety issue that affects macOS Sequoia 15 operating system. This flaw stems from inadequate memory handling mechanisms within the system's memory management subsystem, creating potential pathways for unauthorized memory access. The vulnerability specifically allows applications to read restricted memory regions that should normally be protected from direct access by user-level processes. Such memory access violations can expose sensitive system information, kernel memory structures, or data belonging to other processes, potentially compromising the overall security posture of the affected system. The issue was successfully addressed through enhanced memory handling procedures and improved memory management controls implemented in the macOS Sequoia 15 release, which strengthened the boundaries between different memory regions and reinforced access controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common memory safety issues classified under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where programs access memory locations beyond their intended boundaries. The flaw likely involves improper validation of memory access requests or insufficient bounds checking during memory operations, allowing malicious applications to traverse memory segments that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability falls within the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.001, which encompasses command and scripting interpreter execution, and more specifically relates to privilege escalation techniques through memory manipulation. The vulnerability essentially creates a pathway for applications to bypass normal memory protection mechanisms that separate user space from kernel space, potentially enabling information disclosure and system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-27860 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as unrestricted memory access can lead to more severe consequences including privilege escalation, system instability, and potential exploitation for advanced persistent threats. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive kernel data, credentials, or cryptographic keys stored in memory, which could then be used to gain elevated privileges or conduct further attacks. The vulnerability's presence in earlier macOS versions creates a window of opportunity for threat actors to exploit systems before the patch was applied, particularly affecting organizations with delayed update deployment strategies. Systems running affected versions of macOS remain at risk of being targeted by adversaries who may have developed specific exploits for this memory handling weakness, making timely patching critical for maintaining security hygiene.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-27860 primarily focus on immediate system updates to macOS Sequoia 15 or subsequent security patches that address the memory handling deficiencies. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the patched operating system versions across all affected devices, particularly in environments where security is paramount such as financial institutions, government agencies, or healthcare organizations. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory access patterns or potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may be leveraged in combination with other attack vectors. Additional defensive measures include enabling system integrity protections, restricting application privileges, and conducting regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of continuous memory safety improvements in operating system design and highlights the necessity of robust memory management controls in preventing unauthorized access to system resources.