CVE-2024-54501 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 file may lead to a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-54501 represents a denial of service condition affecting multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. This issue manifests when the affected systems process maliciously crafted files that trigger improper validation mechanisms within the file handling subsystem. The vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient input validation as defined by CWE-20, where the system fails to adequately verify the integrity and legitimacy of input data before processing. The affected components likely include file parsing libraries and content handlers responsible for processing various file formats across the Apple ecosystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of file structures or content that bypasses existing validation checks. When a user or application attempts to process a specially crafted file, the system's file handling mechanisms encounter unexpected data patterns that cause the processing pipeline to fail or become unresponsive. This failure mode results in a denial of service condition that can prevent legitimate file operations from completing successfully. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-400, where the system's response to malformed input leads to resource exhaustion or process termination. The impact extends across all supported Apple platforms, indicating a fundamental flaw in the cross-platform file processing infrastructure.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to user productivity and system availability across Apple devices. The denial of service condition can affect both individual users experiencing disruptions in their daily device operations and enterprise environments where device reliability is critical. The vulnerability's presence across multiple operating system versions suggests that Apple's security team identified a core architectural weakness that required patching across their entire product portfolio. The affected systems may experience complete application freezes, system crashes, or resource exhaustion that prevents normal file operations from proceeding. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers the use of resource exhaustion to cause denial of service conditions.
The remediation for CVE-2024-54501 was implemented through enhanced validation checks that strengthen input sanitization and file processing routines. Apple's patching strategy addressed the vulnerability across multiple versions including iOS 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. These updates incorporate improved validation mechanisms that properly handle malformed file inputs and prevent the exploitation conditions that previously led to denial of service. The security improvements likely involve enhanced file format parsers, stricter content validation, and more robust error handling procedures that prevent malicious inputs from triggering system failures. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these patches across their Apple device fleets to eliminate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in preventing denial of service attacks and maintaining system stability.