CVE-2024-27872 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in 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
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27872 represents a significant security flaw in macOS Sonoma 14.6 that stems from inadequate validation of symbolic links within the operating system's file access mechanisms. This weakness allows applications to potentially bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to protected user data through maliciously crafted symlink traversals. The issue specifically manifests when applications fail to properly validate the target paths of symbolic links before accessing them, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and data exposure. The vulnerability exists in the core file system access controls that govern how applications interact with user data, making it particularly concerning for system security integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of symbolic link resolution within macOS file system APIs. When an application processes a symbolic link, the system should validate that the target path does not point to restricted directories or sensitive user data. However, the flaw allows attackers to craft symbolic links that, when resolved by applications, can traverse into protected areas of the file system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-367 category of Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) errors, where the system's validation occurs at a different time than the actual access attempt, creating a window for exploitation. The flaw essentially permits applications to perform unauthorized file system operations that should be restricted to system processes or users with appropriate privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-27872 extends beyond simple data access violations, as it represents a potential pathway for broader system compromise. An attacker with a malicious application could exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive user information including personal documents, authentication credentials, and system configuration files. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of macOS by allowing applications to circumvent the normal access control mechanisms that protect user privacy. This weakness could enable persistent surveillance capabilities or data exfiltration operations that would be difficult to detect through standard security monitoring. The issue particularly affects applications that process user-provided data or operate with elevated privileges, making it a significant concern for both end-user privacy and enterprise security environments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 adversary technique for local privilege escalation through file system manipulation.
The remediation for CVE-2024-27872 requires updating to macOS Sonoma 14.6, which implements improved validation mechanisms for symbolic link processing. This update addresses the core issue by strengthening the file system access controls and ensuring that symbolic link resolution properly validates target paths against access control lists. Organizations should immediately deploy this update across all affected systems and conduct thorough security assessments to verify that no exploitation has occurred. Additional mitigations include implementing application sandboxing policies that restrict file system access, monitoring for unusual symbolic link operations, and maintaining regular security audits of system access patterns. The fix demonstrates Apple's approach to addressing file system security vulnerabilities through enhanced validation processes that align with industry best practices for preventing privilege escalation attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous symbolic link resolution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.