CVE-2024-27795 Overview
CVE-2024-27795 is a permissions vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows a camera extension to access the internet without proper authorization. Apple addressed the flaw in macOS Sequoia 15 by adding additional restrictions to extension permissions. The issue is classified under [CWE-281] (Improper Preservation of Permissions).
The vulnerability can be reached over the network, requires no privileges, and needs no user interaction. While confidentiality impact is high, integrity and availability are unaffected. As of the EPSS data dated 2026-06-30, exploitation probability remains low.
Critical Impact
A malicious or compromised camera extension can bypass intended sandbox restrictions and reach internet endpoints, potentially exfiltrating sensitive data captured from the device.
Affected Products
- Apple macOS versions prior to macOS Sequoia 15
- Systems running camera extensions on affected macOS releases
- All macOS deployments where camera extensions are loaded
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-09-17 - CVE-2024-27795 published to NVD
- 2024-09-17 - Apple releases macOS Sequoia 15 with the fix
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-27795
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw resides in how macOS enforces permissions on camera extensions. Camera extensions are user-space components that interface with the system's camera subsystem to provide virtual cameras or process video streams. macOS should restrict these extensions to the minimum capabilities required for camera operations.
Before the patch, the permission model failed to prevent a camera extension from initiating outbound network connections. An extension loaded into the camera subsystem could therefore reach arbitrary internet hosts. This breaks the isolation expectation between media-processing extensions and general network access.
The Apple advisory states the issue was addressed with additional restrictions. Apple did not publish specific exploitation indicators or attack telemetry for this CVE.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper preservation of permissions [CWE-281] in the camera extension entitlement enforcement path. The system granted broader capabilities than the extension's declared purpose required. Network access was reachable from within the extension sandbox rather than being denied by default.
Attack Vector
The attack requires a camera extension to be present on the target system. An adversary who can ship a malicious extension, or compromise a legitimate one, gains the ability to reach external hosts from within the camera subsystem context. This enables exfiltration of camera data or use of the extension as a covert network channel.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Apple Support Article and the Full Disclosure Mailing List Post for vendor-supplied technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27795
Indicators of Compromise
- Outbound network connections originating from cameraextensiond or related camera extension host processes on macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.
- Camera extensions loaded from non-standard paths or signed by unexpected developer identifiers.
- Unexpected DNS queries or TLS sessions correlated with camera activation events.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed camera extensions using systemextensionsctl list and validate code signatures against expected developer identifiers.
- Correlate process telemetry with network flow data to identify camera extension processes initiating outbound traffic.
- Hunt for camera extensions that load on systems still running macOS versions earlier than Sequoia 15.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable endpoint logging for system extension load events and outbound socket creation.
- Forward macOS Unified Log events related to com.apple.cmio and extension activation into your SIEM.
- Alert on camera extension processes establishing connections to non-allowlisted destinations.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27795
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade all affected endpoints to macOS Sequoia 15 or later, which contains the vendor fix.
- Audit installed camera extensions and remove any that are unsigned, unused, or from untrusted publishers.
- Restrict installation of system extensions through MDM policy until patching is complete.
Patch Information
Apple resolved the issue in macOS Sequoia 15 by adding additional restrictions to the camera extension permission model. See the Apple Support Article for the official advisory and the complete list of fixes shipped in that release.
Workarounds
- Remove or disable third-party camera extensions on systems that cannot be upgraded immediately.
- Apply outbound network filtering at the host or network perimeter to block traffic from camera extension processes to untrusted destinations.
- Enforce MDM configuration profiles that restrict which system extensions can be loaded.
# List currently installed system extensions for review
systemextensionsctl list
# Verify macOS version meets the patched baseline
sw_vers -productVersion
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
