CVE-2024-27877 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.7.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, macOS Ventura 13.6.8. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to a denial-of-service or potentially disclose memory contents.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2026
This vulnerability represents a memory handling flaw that affects Apple's macOS operating system across multiple versions including Monterey 12.7.6, Sonoma 14.6, and Ventura 13.6.8. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms when processing specially crafted files that could trigger improper memory management operations. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities which are particularly dangerous due to their potential for both denial-of-service and information disclosure impacts. The weakness likely resides in how the system allocates, manages, or deallocates memory regions when encountering malformed input data, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents or disrupt normal system operations. The fix implemented by Apple addresses the root cause through enhanced memory handling procedures that properly validate file structures before processing, preventing potential exploitation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to include potential data exposure risks that could compromise system integrity. When an attacker successfully exploits this flaw, they may achieve either a denial-of-service condition that renders system components unavailable or gain unauthorized access to memory contents that could reveal sensitive information. This dual nature makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where confidentiality and availability are critical requirements. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of length of input data, and may also relate to CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where initial access is gained through file-based delivery mechanisms, followed by memory exploitation to escalate privileges or extract information.
The mitigation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of the patched macOS versions mentioned in the advisory. System administrators should prioritize updating affected systems to prevent exploitation attempts, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple users may encounter malicious files through email attachments, web downloads, or removable media. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain visibility into file processing activities that might trigger the vulnerability. The fix demonstrates Apple's adherence to secure coding practices by implementing proper input validation and memory management controls that prevent the exploitation scenarios described in the vulnerability description. Security teams should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as sandboxing file processing applications and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated systems to ensure that legitimate file processing functionality remains intact while the vulnerability is properly addressed. This vulnerability highlights the importance of continuous security updates and the need for organizations to maintain current patch management processes to protect against known memory corruption threats.