CVE-2024-54486 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, iPadOS 17.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, macOS Ventura 13.7.2, tvOS 18.2, visionOS 2.2, watchOS 11.2. Processing a maliciously crafted font may result in the disclosure of process memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-54486 represents a critical memory disclosure issue affecting multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. This flaw resides in the font processing mechanisms of these platforms, where improper input validation allows maliciously crafted font files to trigger unauthorized memory access patterns. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes font files that contain crafted payloads designed to exploit memory handling routines within the font rendering subsystem. Security researchers have classified this issue under the broader category of memory corruption vulnerabilities, which aligns with CWE-125, indicating out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weaknesses in how Apple's operating systems handle font parsing operations, particularly in the way they manage memory allocation and access during font rendering processes. When a malicious font file is processed, the system's font engine fails to properly validate the structure and content of the font data, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns that result in the exposure of sensitive process memory. This type of vulnerability falls within the ATT&CK framework under T1550.003 for Defense Evasion through valid accounts, as it can potentially be leveraged to extract information from running processes that might contain credentials, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive data. The memory disclosure occurs during the font processing phase, which is typically invoked when applications display text or render graphical content, making the attack surface quite broad across the operating system's user interface components.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-54486 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory fragments could contain sensitive data such as encryption keys, session tokens, or personal information that could be exploited by attackers to escalate privileges or conduct further attacks. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Apple devices including iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, Apple TVs, and Apple Watches, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where these devices are commonly deployed. Organizations using Apple devices for business operations face potential risks including data breaches, unauthorized access to corporate systems, and compromise of sensitive communications that rely on the integrity of the underlying operating system. The vulnerability's presence across multiple operating system versions indicates a systemic issue in Apple's font processing libraries that requires immediate attention through patch management and system updates.
The remediation for this vulnerability was implemented through enhanced input validation and improved memory access controls within the font processing components of Apple's operating systems. Apple addressed this issue by strengthening the font parsing routines to properly validate font file structures and prevent malicious data from triggering memory access patterns that could lead to information disclosure. Security updates for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, iPadOS 17.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, macOS Ventura 13.7.2, tvOS 18.2, visionOS 2.2, and watchOS 11.2 include modifications to the font engine's memory handling mechanisms, specifically addressing the improper bounds checking that previously allowed attackers to access unauthorized memory regions. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these updates across their Apple device fleets to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect potential attempts to exploit this vulnerability through font-based attacks and consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust input validation in system components that process user-supplied data, as even seemingly benign operations like font rendering can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.