CVE-2024-23278 Overview
CVE-2024-23278 is a sandbox escape vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Apple addressed the issue with improved checks in security updates released across its product lineup. An application running on an affected device may be able to break out of its sandbox, undermining a core security boundary used to isolate untrusted code from the rest of the operating system. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-94] (Improper Control of Generation of Code) and requires local access with user interaction.
Critical Impact
A malicious app installed on an affected Apple device may escape the application sandbox, gaining broader access to system resources and user data beyond its authorized scope.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS and iPadOS (fixed in 16.7.6 and 17.4)
- Apple macOS Sonoma (fixed in 14.4) and macOS Ventura (fixed in 13.6.5)
- Apple tvOS 17.4 and watchOS 10.4
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-03-08 - CVE-2024-23278 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-23278
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-23278 allows an application to escape the Apple sandbox, a security mechanism that restricts what resources an app can access on the host operating system. Apple's advisories describe the root cause only briefly, stating the issue was addressed with improved checks. Successful exploitation results in high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with a scope change indicating the impacted component differs from the vulnerable component.
Sandbox escapes in Apple ecosystems typically allow a constrained process to reach files, IPC endpoints, or system services that the sandbox profile would normally deny. Because the vulnerable code paths exist across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, a shared framework or system service is the likely root of the flaw.
Root Cause
Apple attributes the vulnerability to missing validation logic that has been remediated with additional runtime checks. The associated CWE mapping ([CWE-94]) indicates the flaw involves improper control over code or command generation, consistent with a sandboxed process influencing behavior in a more privileged component.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local code execution, typically through a malicious or compromised application, and user interaction to trigger the vulnerable code path. No network access is required. Once triggered, the sandboxed app can perform actions outside its granted entitlements. No public proof-of-concept, exploit code, or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported, and the CVE is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Because verified exploitation code is not publicly available for this CVE, no code sample is included. Refer to the Apple Security Releases for vendor-provided context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-23278
Indicators of Compromise
- No public indicators of compromise have been published for CVE-2024-23278.
- Unexpected access attempts by App Store or third-party apps to files, IPC endpoints, or system services outside their declared entitlements.
- Anomalous child processes spawned by sandboxed applications on macOS endpoints.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor macOS Endpoint Security events for sandboxed processes making privileged syscalls or accessing protected resources.
- Review installed application inventory and entitlements to identify apps that request unusually broad capabilities.
- Correlate application crash reports and system logs for repeated sandbox denials that may indicate exploit probing.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track OS build versions across managed Apple devices via MDM to identify endpoints still running vulnerable releases prior to iOS 16.7.6, iOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, macOS Ventura 13.6.5, tvOS 17.4, and watchOS 10.4.
- Alert on installation of apps from unknown or non-App Store sources on macOS.
- Ingest Unified Logs from macOS endpoints into a central analytics platform for behavioral review.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-23278
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all affected Apple devices to iOS 16.7.6, iPadOS 16.7.6, iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, macOS Ventura 13.6.5, tvOS 17.4, or watchOS 10.4 or later.
- Enforce OS update compliance through MDM policy for managed fleets.
- Restrict installation of unvetted third-party applications, particularly on macOS endpoints where Gatekeeper can be bypassed by user action.
Patch Information
Apple released fixes across its ecosystem in March 2024. Full advisory content is available in the vendor knowledge base: Apple Security Releases HT214081, HT214082, HT214084, HT214085, HT214086, and HT214088.
Workarounds
- No vendor-supplied workarounds exist; applying the patch is the only supported remediation.
- Limit app installation to trusted App Store sources and validate developer signatures.
- Enable System Integrity Protection and Gatekeeper on macOS to reduce the impact of a successful sandbox escape.
# Verify current macOS version and confirm it is patched
sw_vers -productVersion
# Trigger a software update check on macOS
sudo softwareupdate --list
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
