CVE-2024-23264 Overview
CVE-2024-23264 is an input validation vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw allows a local application to read restricted memory, potentially exposing sensitive data held in protected regions. Apple addressed the issue with improved input sanitization across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The weakness is categorized under [CWE-125] (Out-of-bounds Read) and requires local access with user interaction to exploit. Because the flaw exposes memory that should remain isolated, it can support secondary attacks such as sandbox escape chains or credential harvesting when combined with other vulnerabilities.
Critical Impact
A locally installed application may bypass memory access restrictions and read data from memory regions it should not be able to access, enabling information disclosure across Apple's platform ecosystem.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS and iPadOS (versions prior to 16.7.6 and 17.4)
- Apple macOS Monterey (prior to 12.7.4), Ventura (prior to 13.6.5), and Sonoma (prior to 14.4)
- Apple tvOS (prior to 17.4) and visionOS (prior to 1.1)
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-03-08 - CVE-2024-23264 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-23264
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-23264 stems from insufficient input validation within an Apple operating system component shared across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS. When the affected code processes untrusted input, it fails to enforce bounds checks before performing a memory read. This allows an application to reach memory regions outside its normal access scope. Apple documents the impact as "an application may be able to read restricted memory," without disclosing the specific subsystem. The confidentiality-only impact suggests the flaw does not corrupt state or crash the process, but instead leaks data through legitimate return paths. Attackers commonly chain such disclosures with sandbox-escape or privilege-escalation bugs to defeat Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) or extract secrets.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or incorrect input sanitization before a memory access operation, consistent with [CWE-125] Out-of-bounds Read. Apple's advisories describe the fix as "improved input sanitization," indicating that pre-patch code paths accepted attacker-controlled values that were then used to compute a read offset or size without adequate validation.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access and user interaction. A malicious or compromised application installed on a vulnerable device invokes the flawed code path with crafted inputs to read memory that would otherwise be inaccessible. Because Apple has not disclosed the specific component, exploitation requires reverse engineering the patched binaries against pre-patched versions to identify the sanitization change. No public proof-of-concept has been published, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available for CVE-2024-23264.
Refer to Apple's advisories (HT214081–HT214087) for vendor-provided details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-23264
Indicators of Compromise
- No specific indicators of compromise have been published by Apple or third-party researchers for this vulnerability.
- Unexpected crashes or memory access exceptions in third-party applications following installation of new or untrusted software.
- Applications requesting elevated entitlements or exhibiting anomalous inter-process communication (IPC) patterns.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory Apple endpoints and compare installed OS build numbers against the patched versions listed in Apple's advisories.
- Monitor macOS Unified Logging for repeated fault or sandbox violation entries originating from a single application bundle identifier.
- Track newly installed applications from outside the App Store or MDM-approved catalogs, as these represent the most likely delivery vector.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Endpoint Security Framework (ESF) telemetry on macOS to capture process, file, and system-event data for behavioral analysis.
- Correlate application install events with subsequent anomalous memory-related crashes across the fleet.
- For managed iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and visionOS devices, enforce Mobile Device Management (MDM) reporting on OS version compliance.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-23264
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade all Apple devices to the patched OS versions: iOS/iPadOS 16.7.6 or 17.4, macOS Monterey 12.7.4, macOS Ventura 13.6.5, macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, and visionOS 1.1.
- Restrict application installations to vetted sources such as the App Store or an MDM-approved enterprise catalog.
- Prioritize patching for devices handling sensitive corporate or regulated data.
Patch Information
Apple released fixes across seven concurrent security updates in March 2024. Refer to Apple's advisories: HT214081, HT214082, HT214083, HT214084, HT214085, HT214086, and HT214087. The fix is described as "improved input sanitization."
Workarounds
- No official workarounds have been published by Apple; upgrading is the only supported remediation.
- Reduce the local attack surface by removing unused or untrusted applications from affected devices.
- Enforce least-privilege entitlements and sandboxing policies for third-party applications via MDM configuration profiles.
# Verify installed macOS build against patched versions
sw_vers -productVersion
# For managed fleets, query OS version via MDM (example: jamf)
# jamf recon and review Inventory > Operating System
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
