CVE-2024-27871 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6. An app may be able to access protected user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2026
This vulnerability represents a path handling issue that existed in Apple's operating systems prior to versions iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, and macOS Sonoma 14.6. The flaw falls under the category of improper input validation, which is commonly associated with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation and CWE-78 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of file paths and directory traversal mechanisms within the operating system's file handling subsystem. Attackers could exploit this weakness to manipulate path resolution and gain unauthorized access to protected user data through carefully crafted file system operations that bypass normal security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the operating system's failure to properly sanitize or validate file path inputs before processing them within the file system hierarchy. When applications or system processes handle file paths, they typically traverse directories and access files based on user-provided or system-generated paths. The flaw allows for malicious path manipulation that could potentially lead to directory traversal attacks where an attacker might access files outside of the intended directory scope. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can enable privilege escalation or data exposure attacks that leverage the operating system's file access controls. The issue is classified as a path traversal vulnerability that operates at the system level rather than at the application level, making it more impactful and potentially more difficult to detect.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the operating system's security model for file system access. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive user data, including personal documents, photos, communications, and other protected information stored within the device's file system. The attack surface is broad since path handling is fundamental to almost all file operations within the operating system. This vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious applications, compromised system components, or through network-based attacks that manipulate file access requests. The issue is particularly concerning because it affects core operating system functionality and could potentially be chained with other vulnerabilities to create more sophisticated attack scenarios.
Apple's fix for CVE-2024-27871 involved implementing enhanced path validation mechanisms that properly sanitize and validate all file path inputs before processing them within the operating system's file access subsystem. The patch ensures that path traversal attempts are properly detected and blocked, preventing unauthorized access to protected user data. This remediation aligns with security best practices for input validation and follows the principle of least privilege by ensuring that file system access operations respect the intended boundaries and security contexts. Organizations should prioritize updating affected systems to iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, and macOS Sonoma 14.6 to mitigate this vulnerability. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in preventing path traversal attacks and aligns with MITRE ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access. System administrators should monitor for any suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and ensure that all operating system components are kept up to date with the latest security patches.