CVE-2024-54498 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, macOS Ventura 13.7.2. An app may be able to break out of its sandbox.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-54498 represents a critical path handling flaw that affects multiple versions of Apple's macOS operating system. This issue stems from insufficient validation of file paths within the system's sandboxing mechanisms, creating a potential security bypass that could allow malicious applications to access resources outside their designated sandbox boundaries. The vulnerability was specifically addressed through enhanced validation measures implemented in macOS Sequoia 15.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, and macOS Ventura 13.7.2, demonstrating Apple's recognition of the severity of path traversal risks in sandboxed environments. The flaw operates at the core level of macOS security architecture where path resolution and validation should prevent unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weaknesses in how the operating system processes file paths, particularly when dealing with symbolic links, directory traversal sequences, or malformed path references. Attackers could potentially manipulate these path handling routines to navigate beyond the intended sandbox boundaries, effectively breaking out of restricted application environments where such access should be prohibited. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw essentially undermines the fundamental security principle of application sandboxing that isolates processes from each other and from system resources to prevent unauthorized access and privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-54498 extends beyond simple sandbox bypass, as it represents a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks that could leverage the compromised application environment to access sensitive user data, system configuration files, or other applications running within the same security context. This vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges, access confidential information, or even deploy additional malicious payloads within the compromised sandboxed environment. The risk is particularly significant for applications that handle sensitive user data or operate with elevated privileges, as the path handling flaw could provide attackers with unexpected access to resources that should remain protected. Organizations relying on macOS environments for security-sensitive operations face potential exposure through this vulnerability, especially in scenarios where sandboxed applications process user-provided input or interact with file systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-54498 primarily focus on immediate system updates to the patched versions of macOS mentioned in the advisory. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the relevant security updates across all affected macOS installations to prevent exploitation of this path handling vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their macOS environments to identify applications that may be vulnerable to path traversal attacks and implement additional monitoring for suspicious file system access patterns. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through various methods including exploitation of system vulnerabilities, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date system security patches as a primary defense mechanism. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous path resolution patterns or unauthorized access attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.