CVE-2024-40847 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/17/2024
The issue was addressed with additional code-signing restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7, macOS Ventura 13.7. An app may be able to access sensitive user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-40847 represents a significant security flaw in Apple's macOS operating system that emerged from insufficient code-signing validation mechanisms. This weakness allowed malicious applications to potentially access sensitive user data through compromised code-signing processes that should have prevented unauthorized software execution. The issue specifically affected versions of macOS prior to the releases mentioned in the patch, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the system's trust model. The vulnerability stems from the operating system's failure to properly enforce code-signing restrictions that are fundamental to maintaining system integrity and user privacy. According to CWE standards, this represents a weakness in the code-signing process that could lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized data access, falling under the category of improper verification of code-signing certificates. The flaw demonstrates how inadequate enforcement of digital signatures can undermine the entire security architecture of a platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of code-signing validation routines within macOS that are responsible for verifying the authenticity and integrity of applications before execution. When code-signing restrictions were not properly enforced, applications could potentially bypass these security checks and gain access to user data that should have been protected by the operating system's security model. This issue particularly affects the trust relationships between the operating system and applications, allowing malicious software to exploit the gap in verification processes. The flaw likely manifested through improper certificate validation or insufficient signature checking mechanisms that should have prevented unsigned or improperly signed applications from accessing sensitive user information. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code that would otherwise be blocked by the normal code-signing enforcement protocols, creating a pathway for data exfiltration and unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-40847 extends beyond simple data access violations to encompass potential privilege escalation and comprehensive system compromise. Users running affected versions of macOS faced heightened risk of unauthorized data access, including personal files, credentials, and sensitive communications that could be accessed by malicious applications. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in significant privacy breaches and data loss, particularly affecting users who rely on macOS for business or personal information protection. Security professionals noted that this flaw could be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where macOS systems handle sensitive corporate data, as attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to gain access to critical business information. The risk assessment indicates that the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised software downloads, or social engineering campaigns that trick users into installing malicious applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-40847 primarily focus on immediate system updates and enhanced monitoring of code-signing processes within macOS environments. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the security patches available for macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7, and macOS Ventura 13.7 to address the underlying code-signing restrictions that were insufficiently enforced. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring of application execution and code-signing validation processes to detect potential exploitation attempts. The implementation of additional security controls such as application whitelisting, enhanced endpoint detection systems, and regular security audits can help mitigate the risk of exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework considerations, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through code-signing manipulation, making it important for security teams to monitor for suspicious code-signing activities and unauthorized application installations. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected macOS versions and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent future occurrences of similar code-signing related vulnerabilities.