CVE-2024-44256 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2024
The issue was addressed with improved input sanitization. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, macOS Ventura 13.7.1. An app may be able to break out of its sandbox.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2026
This vulnerability represents a sandbox escape flaw that affects Apple's macOS operating system across multiple versions including Sequoia 15.1, Sonoma 14.7.1, and Ventura 13.7.1. The issue stems from insufficient input sanitization mechanisms that allow malicious applications to potentially bypass the security boundaries established by the sandboxing architecture. Sandboxing is a critical security control that isolates applications from system resources and other applications to prevent unauthorized access and privilege escalation. The vulnerability specifically enables an application to break out of its designated sandbox environment, which fundamentally undermines the security model designed to protect users from potentially malicious software.
The technical flaw manifests through inadequate validation of input parameters that applications submit to system APIs or kernel interfaces. When applications fail to properly sanitize their inputs, they may inadvertently provide attackers with opportunities to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities or manipulate system calls in ways that circumvent sandbox restrictions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE category of insufficient input validation, specifically CWE-20 which encompasses weakness in input sanitization and validation processes. The exploitation of such flaws typically involves crafting malicious inputs that can trigger unexpected behavior in the system's security mechanisms, allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges or access restricted resources beyond their intended sandbox boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it represents a fundamental breach in the security architecture of macOS systems. Attackers who successfully exploit this sandbox escape could potentially access sensitive user data, manipulate system resources, or even establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects all applications running on the specified macOS versions, making it particularly concerning from a threat perspective since it could be exploited by any application that fails to properly sanitize its inputs. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining robust input validation across all system components, as even seemingly minor oversights in sanitization can lead to complete security model bypasses. The attack surface extends beyond individual applications to potentially affect the entire operating system security posture, as successful sandbox escapes can provide attackers with the ability to move laterally within the system or access other applications and their data.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability focuses on implementing enhanced input sanitization measures that validate all inputs received by applications and system components before processing. This includes thorough parameter validation, proper memory management, and robust error handling that prevents malicious inputs from triggering unexpected system behaviors. Organizations should immediately deploy the updated macOS versions that contain the patched sanitization mechanisms, as these updates address the root cause of the vulnerability by strengthening the input validation processes. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any applications that may be vulnerable to similar input sanitization issues, ensuring that their software development practices incorporate proper input validation as a fundamental security control. The fix aligns with industry best practices for preventing sandbox escape attacks and represents a critical update that restores the integrity of macOS security boundaries. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of continuous security testing and validation of security controls, particularly in complex operating system environments where multiple layers of security must work together to protect against sophisticated attacks.