CVE-2024-27817: Apple iPadOS RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-27817 Overview

CVE-2024-27817 is a kernel-level vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. A malicious application can leverage the flaw to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, breaking out of the standard application sandbox. Apple resolved the issue with improved checks and shipped fixes across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS.

The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, meaning an attacker must convince a user to install or run a crafted application. Once executed, the app can bypass kernel-mode security boundaries and gain the highest privilege level available on the system. Apple assigned this issue to the [CWE-353] category (missing support for integrity check) based on NVD analysis.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants kernel-mode code execution, allowing complete compromise of the affected device including bypass of System Integrity Protection and code-signing enforcement.

Affected Products

Apple iOS and iPadOS prior to 16.7.8 and 17.5
Apple macOS Monterey 12.7.5, Sonoma 14.5, and Ventura 13.6.7
Apple tvOS prior to 17.5 and visionOS prior to 1.2

Discovery Timeline

2024-06-10 - CVE-2024-27817 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-27817

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-27817 is a kernel vulnerability that Apple addressed through improved validation checks. The flaw permits an application running in userspace to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the XNU kernel. Kernel-mode execution on Apple platforms represents the highest privilege boundary an attacker can reach on the device.

Apple's advisory language of "improved checks" combined with the CWE-353 classification (missing support for integrity check) indicates the root defect involved insufficient validation of data or state transitions crossing the userspace-to-kernel boundary. The affected code paths existed across the shared Darwin kernel used in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS.

Root Cause

The root cause is a missing or insufficient integrity check inside a kernel component. Data or parameters supplied from userspace were not adequately validated before the kernel acted on them, enabling an attacker-controlled application to influence kernel execution flow. Apple's patch introduced additional validation to reject malformed or attacker-controlled inputs before they can affect kernel state.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access to the device and user interaction, typically in the form of installing and running a malicious application. Remote or network-based exploitation is not applicable. Once the malicious binary is executed, it invokes the vulnerable kernel interface to trigger the flaw and gain kernel-level code execution, providing full control over the operating system. Refer to Apple's security advisories such as Apple Support Document HT214100 and Apple Support Document HT214106 for platform-specific details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27817

Indicators of Compromise

Installation of applications from outside the App Store or from unknown developer signatures on macOS.
Unexpected kernel panics or crash logs in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ referencing unusual driver or IOKit activity.
Presence of unsigned or ad-hoc signed binaries attempting to interact with privileged kernel interfaces.

Detection Strategies

Inventory Apple endpoints and compare installed OS versions against the fixed builds (iOS/iPadOS 16.7.8 or 17.5, macOS 12.7.5, 13.6.7, 14.5, tvOS 17.5, visionOS 1.2).
Monitor endpoint telemetry for processes spawning with elevated privileges after being launched from user-writable directories.
Review system.log and unified logs for kernel extension load failures or code-signing violations correlated with unknown binaries.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enforce MDM policies that report OS build numbers and flag devices running unpatched Apple releases.
Enable EDR telemetry collection on macOS to capture process lineage, code-signing status, and privilege-transition events.
Alert on repeated kernel panics or unexpected reboots that could indicate exploitation attempts.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27817

Immediate Actions Required

Update all Apple devices to iOS/iPadOS 16.7.8 or 17.5, macOS Monterey 12.7.5, macOS Ventura 13.6.7, macOS Sonoma 14.5, tvOS 17.5, or visionOS 1.2.
Restrict application installation on managed macOS endpoints to signed and notarized applications from trusted developers.
Audit MDM-managed device fleets for outdated Apple operating system builds and prioritize remediation.

Patch Information

Apple released patches on May 13, 2024 addressing this issue across all affected platforms. Consult the vendor advisories: Apple Support Document HT214100, Apple Support Document HT214101, Apple Support Document HT214102, Apple Support Document HT214105, Apple Support Document HT214106, Apple Support Document HT214107, and Apple Support Document HT214108. Additional discussion appears on the Full Disclosure Mailing List.

Workarounds

No vendor-provided workaround exists; patching is the only supported remediation.
Reduce risk by preventing installation of untrusted applications and enforcing Gatekeeper on macOS.
Restrict user privileges so end users cannot bypass device management or install arbitrary software from unknown sources.

bash

# Verify installed macOS build against the fixed versions
sw_vers
# Expected: ProductVersion 12.7.5, 13.6.7, or 14.5 (or later)

# Verify installed iOS/iPadOS build via MDM query or on-device
# Settings > General > About > Software Version (expected 16.7.8, 17.5, or later)