CVE-2024-23299 Overview
CVE-2024-23299 is a sandbox escape vulnerability affecting Apple macOS. The issue allows an application to break out of its sandbox, potentially gaining access to resources outside the intended containment boundary. Apple addressed the vulnerability with improved checks in macOS Monterey 12.7.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, and macOS Ventura 13.6.5. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-250] (Execution with Unnecessary Privileges) and requires local access with user interaction to exploit.
Critical Impact
A malicious application executing on the local system can escape its sandbox restrictions, resulting in high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability across other components.
Affected Products
- Apple macOS Monterey (prior to 12.7.4)
- Apple macOS Ventura (prior to 13.6.5)
- Apple macOS Sonoma (prior to 14.4)
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-06-10 - CVE-2024-23299 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-23299
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in macOS sandbox enforcement logic. The Apple sandbox is a mandatory access control mechanism that confines processes to a restricted set of system resources. When an application requests operations that cross the sandbox boundary, the kernel must validate the request against the process entitlements and profile.
Apple's advisory states the issue was corrected through improved checks, indicating the original code performed insufficient validation on a sandbox-mediated operation. An attacker able to run code within a sandboxed context can leverage this weakness to access files, IPC endpoints, or system services normally blocked by the profile.
Successful exploitation escalates the scope of an initial foothold. A compromised sandboxed application, such as a browser renderer or a malicious App Store binary, can pivot to broader system access.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation performed by a sandbox-enforcing component in macOS. According to Apple's advisory, the fix strengthens boundary checks. The CWE-250 categorization suggests the affected code path executed with privileges greater than required for the requested operation, which the sandbox failed to constrain.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local code execution and user interaction. An attacker must first deliver and run a crafted application on the target macOS system, typically through social engineering, a malicious installer, or a supply-chain vector. The scope is marked as changed, meaning the exploit affects resources beyond the vulnerable component.
No public proof-of-concept, exploit code, or CISA KEV listing exists for CVE-2024-23299 at the time of writing.
No verified exploitation code is publicly available. Refer to the Apple Support Document HT214083, HT214084, and HT214085 for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-23299
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected process spawns originating from sandboxed applications accessing files outside their container paths under ~/Library/Containers/.
- Anomalous Mach IPC or XPC connections from sandboxed apps to privileged system services.
- macOS sandboxd log entries showing repeated deny events followed by successful operations on restricted resources.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Endpoint Security framework events for sandboxed processes performing filesystem or network operations inconsistent with their declared entitlements.
- Correlate com.apple.sandbox unified log messages with process telemetry to identify boundary-crossing behavior.
- Baseline expected file and IPC access patterns for App Store and third-party sandboxed applications, then alert on deviation.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest macOS unified logs and Endpoint Security telemetry into a centralized analytics platform for retrospective hunting.
- Track macOS version distribution across the fleet and flag endpoints still running versions below 12.7.4, 13.6.5, or 14.4.
- Alert on installation of unsigned or ad-hoc signed binaries that request sandbox entitlements.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-23299
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all macOS endpoints to macOS Monterey 12.7.4, macOS Ventura 13.6.5, or macOS Sonoma 14.4 or later.
- Inventory endpoints running unsupported macOS versions and prioritize their upgrade path.
- Restrict installation of unvetted applications through configuration profiles and Gatekeeper policies.
Patch Information
Apple released fixes across three supported macOS trains. Deploy the update relevant to each endpoint by referencing the Apple Support Document HT214083 for Sonoma 14.4, HT214084 for Ventura 13.6.5, and HT214085 for Monterey 12.7.4. Verify installation using sw_vers on managed endpoints.
Workarounds
- No official workaround exists; patching is the only supported remediation.
- Reduce exposure by limiting execution of untrusted applications and enforcing notarization through Gatekeeper.
- Deploy application allow-listing policies through mobile device management (MDM) to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries.
# Verify macOS build meets patched version
sw_vers -productVersion
# Trigger a software update check via MDM or command line
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
