CVE-2024-44122 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2024
A logic issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, macOS Ventura 13.7.1. An application may be able to break out of its sandbox.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
This vulnerability represents a sandbox escape flaw that allows applications to potentially bypass system security boundaries and access resources they should not be permitted to reach. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the operating system's security framework, creating a logical weakness that malicious or poorly designed applications can exploit to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, and macOS Ventura 13.7.1, indicating a widespread impact across the Apple ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this sandbox escape vulnerability involves a logic flaw in how the system validates application permissions and resource access requests. When applications attempt to perform operations that should be restricted by sandboxing mechanisms, the system fails to properly verify whether these operations are authorized within the application's granted permissions. This logical gap enables applications to craft specific requests or exploit timing conditions that allow them to circumvent the normal security boundaries that protect user data and system integrity. The flaw operates at a fundamental level of the operating system's privilege management and access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it undermines the core security model that protects user data and system resources. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive user information, read files from other applications, or perform actions that would normally be restricted to system-level processes. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could be leveraged for data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. Given that sandboxing is a critical defense mechanism in modern operating systems, this flaw represents a substantial weakening of the overall security posture.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through improved validation checks and enhanced sandbox enforcement mechanisms in the affected operating system versions. The fix involves strengthening the logic that governs application permissions and resource access, ensuring that all requests are properly validated against the application's granted privileges. Organizations should prioritize updating to the patched versions of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, and macOS Ventura 13.7.1 to mitigate this risk. Security teams should monitor for any suspicious application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts and implement additional monitoring controls to detect potential unauthorized access patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-254 and follows ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms.