CVE-2024-27826: Apple iPadOS Denial of Service Vulnerability

CVE-2024-27826 Overview

CVE-2024-27826 is a memory handling vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. A local attacker with low privileges can trigger the flaw to cause an unexpected system shutdown, resulting in a denial-of-service condition on the affected device. Apple addressed the issue with improved memory handling across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-269] (Improper Privilege Management) and requires local access to exploit. No public exploit code or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported.

Critical Impact
A local attacker can cause unexpected system shutdown on Apple devices, disrupting availability across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS ecosystems.

Affected Products

Apple iOS and iPadOS (fixed in 17.5)
Apple macOS Monterey 12.7.6, Sonoma 14.5, and Ventura 13.6.8
Apple tvOS 17.5, visionOS 1.3, and watchOS 10.5

Discovery Timeline

2024-07-29 - CVE-2024-27826 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-27826

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-27826 stems from improper memory handling within Apple operating system components. According to Apple's advisories, the flaw allows a local attacker to trigger an unexpected system shutdown. The impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability, indicating that the memory handling defect exposes sensitive kernel or system state in addition to producing a denial-of-service outcome.

The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges. An attacker with an unprivileged user context on the device can invoke the affected code path to disrupt normal operation. No user interaction is required, which lowers the barrier for exploitation once code executes on the device.

Root Cause

Apple's public advisory describes the root cause as a memory handling defect resolved through improved memory management. Apple did not publish the specific component or function involved. The associated weakness classification [CWE-269] suggests that the flaw involves privilege management interacting with memory operations that a lower-privileged process should not be able to influence.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local code execution on an affected Apple device. A malicious application installed through the App Store, sideloaded via a developer profile, or delivered through another chained vulnerability could invoke the vulnerable code path. The attacker interacts with the affected subsystem, causing the operating system to reach an inconsistent memory state and shut down unexpectedly.

Since realCodeExamples are not available for this CVE, refer to the Apple Security Advisory HT214101 and related advisories for vendor-provided context on affected components.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27826

Indicators of Compromise

Unexplained system shutdowns or reboots on devices running vulnerable versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS.
Crash reports referencing kernel or system-level memory faults in ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ on macOS.
Recent installation of untrusted third-party applications or configuration profiles preceding the shutdown event.

Detection Strategies

Collect and centralize macOS unified logs and crash reports, then hunt for repeated kernel panic signatures on hosts still running pre-patch OS builds.
Inventory Apple endpoints by OS build and flag devices running versions older than iOS/iPadOS 17.5, macOS 12.7.6, 13.6.8, or 14.5, tvOS 17.5, visionOS 1.3, and watchOS 10.5.
Correlate local process execution telemetry with kernel panic or shutdown events to identify potentially triggering applications.

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest macOS Endpoint Security telemetry into your SIEM or data lake to preserve process ancestry around shutdown events for retrospective analysis.
Alert on Mobile Device Management (MDM) reports of devices falling behind the minimum patched OS build.
Monitor for unsigned or newly installed applications on managed Apple fleets that coincide with unexpected reboots.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27826

Immediate Actions Required

Update all Apple devices to the patched OS builds: iOS/iPadOS 17.5 or later, macOS Monterey 12.7.6, macOS Ventura 13.6.8, macOS Sonoma 14.5, tvOS 17.5, visionOS 1.3, and watchOS 10.5.
Enforce update compliance through MDM policies and block enrollment for devices running unpatched OS versions.
Restrict installation of unsigned or third-party applications on managed endpoints to reduce local exploitation opportunities.

Patch Information

Apple resolved CVE-2024-27826 with improved memory handling. Patches are documented in the following advisories: Apple Support Article HT214101, HT214102, HT214104, HT214106, HT214118, HT214120, and HT214123. Administrators should deploy the appropriate build for each device class.

Workarounds

No vendor-approved workaround exists; apply the official OS updates as the primary mitigation.
Limit local access to devices by enforcing strong device passcodes, FileVault on macOS, and least-privilege user accounts.
Use MDM configuration to prevent installation of untrusted profiles or side-loaded applications until patching is complete.

bash

# Verify current macOS build and check for available updates
sw_vers -productVersion
softwareupdate --list
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart