CVE-2024-44291 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
A logic issue was addressed with improved file handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, macOS Ventura 13.7.2. A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical logic flaw in Apple's macOS operating system that stems from insufficient file handling mechanisms within the system's security architecture. The issue affects multiple versions of macOS including Sequoia 15.2, Sonoma 14.7.2, and Ventura 13.7.2, indicating a widespread impact across the operating system's lifecycle. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of file operations that could potentially allow a malicious application to escalate privileges from a regular user account to root access. This type of privilege escalation vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and represents a fundamental failure in the system's access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw likely involves improper handling of file system operations where the system fails to properly validate file paths, permissions, or access controls during critical operations. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious application that leverages the flawed file handling logic to bypass normal security restrictions. The vulnerability may involve improper sandboxing mechanisms, inadequate file descriptor validation, or flawed privilege checking routines that allow unauthorized access to system resources. This type of issue typically falls under the CWE-252 weakness category, which encompasses "Unchecked Return Value" or "Logic Flaw" conditions where the system fails to properly validate or check the results of security-critical operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides a direct pathway for attackers to achieve complete system compromise. Once an attacker gains root privileges through this exploit, they can execute arbitrary code with unrestricted system access, install persistent backdoors, modify system files, and exfiltrate sensitive data without detection. The vulnerability could be exploited in various attack scenarios including social engineering campaigns where users unknowingly install malicious applications, or through targeted attacks against specific organizations. The exploitability of this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it requires no special privileges to initiate the attack vector, making it accessible to threat actors with minimal technical expertise.
Organizations and system administrators should prioritize immediate patching of affected macOS versions to mitigate this risk. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory, specifically macOS Sequoia 15.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, and macOS Ventura 13.7.2. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious privilege escalation attempts and maintaining comprehensive system logging can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to ensure all endpoints are properly updated and consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and enhanced monitoring of system calls related to file operations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper file handling and access control validation in operating system security, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and emphasizes the need for robust system-level protections against such attacks.