CVE-2024-27804: Apple iPadOS RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-27804 Overview

CVE-2024-27804 is a memory handling vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems that could allow a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the affected components, which Apple addressed through improved memory management in subsequent updates.

This vulnerability impacts a wide range of Apple devices across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS platforms. The local attack vector requires user interaction, typically through the installation and execution of a malicious application that exploits the memory handling flaw to escalate privileges to the kernel level.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, potentially leading to complete device compromise, data theft, persistent malware installation, or device takeover.

Affected Products

• Apple iOS (versions prior to 17.5)
• Apple iPadOS (versions prior to 17.5)
• Apple macOS Sonoma (versions prior to 14.5)
• Apple tvOS (versions prior to 17.5)
• Apple watchOS (versions prior to 10.5)
• Apple visionOS (versions prior to 1.2)

Discovery Timeline

• May 14, 2024 - CVE-2024-27804 published to NVD
• December 12, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-27804

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-27804 is classified under CWE-770 (Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling) and CWE-1325 (Improper Semantics of Memory Operations), indicating the vulnerability relates to improper resource allocation and memory operation handling within Apple's kernel components.

The vulnerability enables privilege escalation from a standard application context to kernel privileges. When exploited, a malicious application can leverage the memory handling flaw to manipulate kernel memory, bypass security boundaries, and execute code with the highest level of system privileges available on the device.

The local attack vector means an attacker must first gain the ability to run code on the target device, typically through social engineering (convincing a user to install a malicious app) or through another initial access vulnerability. Once code execution is achieved at the application level, the attacker can trigger the memory handling vulnerability to escalate to kernel privileges.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-27804 is improper memory handling within Apple's operating system kernel components. Specifically, the vulnerability relates to:

• Resource Allocation Without Limits (CWE-770): The system fails to properly limit or throttle memory allocations, potentially allowing an attacker to exhaust resources or manipulate memory state.
• Improper Memory Operation Semantics (CWE-1325): The memory operations do not correctly implement expected semantics, leading to exploitable conditions where memory state can be corrupted or manipulated.

Apple addressed these issues by implementing improved memory handling routines that properly validate and constrain memory operations.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2024-27804 is local, requiring the attacker to have code execution capability on the target device. The typical attack flow involves:

1. Initial Access: Attacker delivers a malicious application to the target device through app stores, enterprise deployment, or social engineering
2. User Interaction: The victim installs and runs the malicious application
3. Privilege Escalation: The application triggers the memory handling vulnerability to escalate privileges to kernel level
4. Payload Execution: With kernel privileges, the attacker can execute arbitrary code, install persistent malware, access sensitive data, or modify system behavior

The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges to trigger, making it accessible to any application that can run on the device. The memory handling flaw manifests when specific memory operations are performed, allowing the attacker to corrupt kernel memory structures and gain code execution in the kernel context. For detailed technical information, refer to the Apple Security Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27804

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected application crashes or system instability following installation of new apps
• Unusual kernel panics or system reboots without apparent cause
• Applications requesting excessive permissions or exhibiting unexpected behavior
• Anomalous memory usage patterns in system monitoring tools

Detection Strategies

• Monitor device logs for kernel panic events or memory corruption indicators
• Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to track installed applications and detect unauthorized software
• Use endpoint detection solutions capable of monitoring kernel-level activity and memory anomalies
• Deploy application allowlisting to prevent execution of unauthorized applications

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging on managed Apple devices to capture application installation and execution events
• Implement SentinelOne Singularity Mobile to detect anomalous application behavior and potential exploitation attempts
• Configure alerts for kernel panic events or unexpected system crashes across device fleets
• Regularly audit installed applications against approved software lists

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27804

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all affected Apple devices to the latest available operating system versions immediately
• Audit installed applications on managed devices and remove any unauthorized or suspicious software
• Enable automatic updates on all Apple devices to ensure timely application of security patches
• Review and restrict application installation sources to trusted channels only

Patch Information

Apple has released patches for CVE-2024-27804 in the following versions:

• iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 - Apple Support Article HT214101
• macOS Sonoma 14.5 - Apple Support Article HT214106
• tvOS 17.5 - Apple Support Article HT214102
• watchOS 10.5 - Apple Support Article HT214104
• visionOS 1.2 - Apple Knowledge Base HT214123

Organizations should prioritize patching all affected devices and verify patch deployment through MDM solutions or endpoint management tools.

Workarounds

• Restrict application installation to enterprise-managed applications only through MDM profiles
• Enable app installation restrictions to prevent users from sideloading applications
• Implement network segmentation to limit potential impact of compromised devices
• Deploy endpoint protection solutions with kernel-level monitoring capabilities

# Verify iOS/iPadOS version via MDM query
# Devices should report version 17.5 or later
# For macOS, verify version 14.5 or later

# Example: Check macOS version from terminal
sw_vers -productVersion
# Expected output: 14.5 or later

# For enterprise environments, use MDM to query device versions
# and enforce minimum OS version compliance policies