CVE-2024-23288: Apple iPadOS Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2024-23288 Overview

CVE-2024-23288 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS Sonoma, tvOS, and watchOS. An application running on an affected device can leverage the flaw to elevate privileges beyond its authorized scope. Apple addressed the issue by removing the vulnerable code in iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, and watchOS 10.4. The weakness is categorized under [CWE-266] Incorrect Privilege Assignment.

Critical Impact
A malicious or compromised application can elevate privileges on affected Apple operating systems, resulting in full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the targeted device.

Affected Products

Apple iOS and iPadOS prior to 17.4
Apple macOS Sonoma prior to 14.4
Apple tvOS prior to 17.4 and watchOS prior to 10.4

Discovery Timeline

2024-03-08 - CVE-2024-23288 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-23288

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-23288 is a local privilege escalation issue rooted in incorrect privilege assignment within an Apple operating system component shared across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Apple's advisory states that the fix was implemented by removing the vulnerable code, indicating that the affected functionality was either unnecessary or fundamentally unsafe. An attacker who can execute code inside a sandboxed or unprivileged application context can abuse the flaw to obtain higher privileges on the device. Successful exploitation yields high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, giving the attacker access to protected resources and system data.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified under [CWE-266] Incorrect Privilege Assignment. Apple did not publish component-level technical details, but the remediation approach — removing the vulnerable code entirely — suggests that the affected logic granted more privileges than intended to a caller. Applications that should have remained bounded by their normal entitlements could reach code paths that operated with elevated authority.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access and low privileges. An attacker must first deliver or install a malicious application, or compromise a legitimately installed application, to trigger the vulnerable code path. No user interaction is required beyond running the malicious app. The vulnerability manifests in an unspecified Apple OS component. See the Apple security advisories referenced below for platform-specific fix information.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-23288

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected applications performing operations that require entitlements they should not possess, such as accessing protected files, keychain items, or system frameworks.
Crash logs or system logs referencing unusual privilege transitions or unexpected process contexts on devices running versions prior to iOS/iPadOS 17.4, macOS 14.4, tvOS 17.4, or watchOS 10.4.
Unsigned or side-loaded binaries invoking sensitive system APIs shortly after installation.

Detection Strategies

Inventory Apple endpoints and flag any devices running OS versions below the fixed releases; unpatched systems represent the primary exposure.
Review Mobile Device Management (MDM) telemetry for applications requesting or exercising entitlements inconsistent with their declared purpose.
Correlate application installation events with subsequent access to protected system resources to identify potential privilege abuse.

Monitoring Recommendations

Aggregate macOS unified logs and MDM compliance data in a central analytics platform to identify outdated OS versions and anomalous process behavior.
Alert on newly installed macOS applications that immediately spawn privileged helpers or interact with system daemons.
Track patch adoption metrics for iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, and watchOS 10.4 across the fleet.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-23288

Immediate Actions Required

Update all affected devices to iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, or watchOS 10.4 or later without delay.
Restrict installation of untrusted or side-loaded applications on managed Apple devices through MDM configuration profiles.
Audit installed applications on macOS endpoints for unexpected entitlements or helper tools that could abuse privilege boundaries.

Patch Information

Apple resolved CVE-2024-23288 by removing the vulnerable code in iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, and watchOS 10.4. Refer to the Apple advisories for full remediation details: Apple Support HT214081, Apple Support HT214084, Apple Support HT214086, and Apple Support HT214088.

Workarounds

No official workaround exists; Apple's fix is the only supported remediation. Prioritize patch deployment across all affected platforms.
Enforce application allowlisting and Gatekeeper policies on macOS to limit execution of untrusted binaries until patching completes.
On iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS, restrict device enrollment to trusted MDM policies and disallow developer-mode side loading where feasible.

bash

# Verify macOS build version to confirm patch status
sw_vers -productVersion

# On iOS/iPadOS via MDM query, ensure OSVersion is 17.4 or later
# Example jamf command to list device OS versions:
jamf recon -verbose | grep "OS Version"