CVE-2024-40792 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2024
A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15. A malicious app may be able to change network settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical permissions flaw in macOS Sequoia 15 that allows malicious applications to potentially modify network settings through improper access controls. The issue stems from insufficient restriction mechanisms that govern how applications can interact with system network configuration components. According to the CVE description, the vulnerability was addressed through additional restrictions implemented in the operating system update, indicating that prior versions contained inadequate permission boundaries for network-related system functions. The flaw specifically enables malicious software to manipulate network configurations, which could lead to significant security implications including unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, or network-based attacks. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and unauthorized system modification as defined by CWE-269 Privilege Escalation and CWE-732 Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resources. The issue is particularly concerning within enterprise environments where network configuration changes can have widespread impact across multiple systems and network segments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability suggests that it involves improper access control mechanisms within the macOS system architecture that govern how applications can interact with network configuration APIs and system resources. Malicious applications that exploit this vulnerability could potentially modify DNS settings, alter firewall rules, change network interface configurations, or redirect network traffic to malicious endpoints. The fix implemented in macOS Sequoia 15 likely involved strengthening the permission model for network-related system calls, ensuring that only properly authorized applications or system processes can modify network settings. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1068 Privilege Escalation and T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS categories, where unauthorized network modifications could be used to establish persistence or facilitate data exfiltration through compromised network configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient separation of privileges in operating system components can create attack vectors for sophisticated malware that targets system-level network controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network configuration changes to encompass broader security implications for network infrastructure and endpoint protection. Organizations running affected versions of macOS could experience unauthorized network modifications that might go undetected for extended periods, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent network-based access points or redirect traffic through malicious intermediaries. The vulnerability could be exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors to create more sophisticated attack chains, particularly in environments where network monitoring and control are critical for security operations. Security teams should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader network security assessment, particularly in relation to endpoint detection and response capabilities that might be bypassed through network configuration manipulation. The remediation process requires systematic deployment of the macOS Sequoia 15 update across all affected systems, with particular attention to monitoring for any suspicious network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the macOS Sequoia 15 update to address the root cause of the permissions issue. Network administrators should implement enhanced monitoring of network configuration changes and establish baseline network settings to detect unauthorized modifications. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can provide additional defense in depth by restricting which applications can access network configuration APIs. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions that can detect unusual network behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should include verification of network configuration permissions and access controls to ensure that the additional restrictions implemented in the update are properly enforced. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can effectively respond to potential network configuration compromises. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date operating system versions and implementing comprehensive security controls that address both application-level and system-level access controls as recommended by security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001.