CVE-2024-23233: Apple macOS Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2024-23233 Overview

CVE-2024-23233 is a permissions weakness in Apple macOS that allows a malicious application to reuse entitlements and privacy permissions granted to another app. Apple resolved the issue in macOS Sonoma 14.4 with improved checks. The flaw is categorized under [CWE-277: Insecure Inherited Permissions] and stems from insufficient validation of how privacy-scoped capabilities are bound to a specific application.

An attacker who runs code locally on a target Mac can leverage a trusted app's granted permissions, including access to sensitive data protected by the Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) subsystem. Exploitation requires user interaction and local access.

Critical Impact
A malicious app on macOS can inherit entitlements and privacy grants from a legitimate app, enabling unauthorized access to protected user data and resources without prompting the victim.

Affected Products

Apple macOS versions prior to Sonoma 14.4
Systems where third-party apps hold sensitive TCC grants (Camera, Microphone, Full Disk Access)
macOS endpoints running unpatched Sonoma builds

Discovery Timeline

2024-03-08 - CVE-2024-23233 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2024-03-08 - Apple releases macOS Sonoma 14.4 with the fix
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-23233

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in how macOS validates the association between an application binary and the entitlements or privacy permissions previously granted to it. macOS uses the TCC framework to gate access to sensitive resources such as the camera, microphone, contacts, and file system locations. Grants are intended to bind to a specific code signature and bundle identifier.

Due to insufficient checks, a malicious application can present itself in a way that causes the system to treat it as an already-authorized app. The malicious binary then obtains access to protected resources without triggering a new user consent prompt.

Apple's advisory states the issue was addressed with improved checks. Refer to the Apple Support Document for the full change list in macOS Sonoma 14.4.

Root Cause

The root cause is insecure inherited permissions [CWE-277]. macOS did not sufficiently validate the identity of the process claiming a set of entitlements, allowing another app to piggyback on grants issued to a trusted application. This breaks the principle that TCC authorizations should be scoped to a single, verified code signature.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is local and requires user interaction, such as running or installing an attacker-controlled application. Once executed, the malicious app can access resources gated by TCC without generating additional consent dialogs, provided a legitimate app on the system already holds the target permission. No network access or elevated privileges are required at launch.

No public proof-of-concept code has been released for CVE-2024-23233. See the Full Disclosure Mailing List posting for Apple's coordinated advisory notes.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-23233

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected access to TCC-protected resources (camera, microphone, contacts, Documents, Desktop) by newly installed or unsigned applications
Modifications to /Library/Application Support/com.apple.TCC/TCC.db or user-level TCC databases outside of normal software installs
Applications executing from user-writable paths that read data typically restricted to previously authorized apps

Detection Strategies

Inventory macOS endpoints and flag any systems running macOS Sonoma versions earlier than 14.4
Correlate TCC prompt history with process execution telemetry to identify apps accessing protected data without a corresponding user grant
Alert on unsigned or ad-hoc-signed binaries invoking APIs that require Camera, Microphone, or Full Disk Access entitlements

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable endpoint detection and response telemetry for process launches and file access under ~/Library/Application Support/ and TCC-controlled paths
Monitor system.log and unified logging entries related to tccd for anomalous authorization decisions
Track installations of new applications on managed macOS fleets through MDM inventory reporting

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-23233

Immediate Actions Required

Update all Mac endpoints to macOS Sonoma 14.4 or later
Audit TCC grants on managed devices and revoke permissions for applications that no longer require them
Restrict installation of unsigned or non-notarized applications through MDM configuration profiles

Patch Information

Apple addressed CVE-2024-23233 in macOS Sonoma 14.4 with improved validation checks. Details are published in the Apple Support Technical Note. Administrators should deploy the update through Apple Software Update, MDM, or the Apple Support Knowledge Base instructions.

Workarounds

Limit which applications are granted sensitive TCC permissions until patches are applied
Enforce Gatekeeper settings to block execution of applications from unidentified developers
Use MDM policies to prevent users from installing arbitrary applications on managed Macs

bash

# Verify macOS version on an endpoint
sw_vers -productVersion

# List applications with Full Disk Access grants (requires FDA)
sudo sqlite3 "/Library/Application Support/com.apple.TCC/TCC.db" \
  "SELECT client, auth_value FROM access WHERE service='kTCCServiceSystemPolicyAllFiles';"

# Enforce Gatekeeper (App Store and identified developers only)
sudo spctl --master-enable