CVE-2024-27829: Apple macOS Sonoma RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-27829 Overview

CVE-2024-27829 is a memory handling vulnerability in Apple macOS that Apple addressed in macOS Sonoma 14.5. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution on the affected system. The flaw maps to [CWE-788] (Access of Memory Location After End of Buffer) and requires user interaction to trigger, such as opening a file delivered through email, web download, or removable media. Apple resolved the issue with improved memory handling in its May 2024 security update.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants attackers local arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the targeted application, enabling full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on macOS systems prior to Sonoma 14.5.

Affected Products

Apple macOS versions prior to macOS Sonoma 14.5
Applications on macOS that process the affected file format
Systems where users can be induced to open untrusted files

Discovery Timeline

2024-05-14 - CVE-2024-27829 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-27829

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in macOS file processing logic that accesses memory beyond the bounds of an allocated buffer. When a target application parses a crafted file, the out-of-bounds memory access corrupts adjacent program state. Apple's advisory describes the outcome as either unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. The flaw is classified under [CWE-788], indicating that read or write operations cross the end of an intended buffer.

Exploitation requires local file delivery and user interaction. An attacker must convince a user to open or process the crafted file using the affected macOS component. No special privileges are required to launch the attack, but the attacker operates within the security context of the user opening the file.

The public EPSS probability for this CVE is approximately 0.28%, placing it in the 51st percentile of scored vulnerabilities. No public proof-of-concept code is currently catalogued, and the CVE is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Root Cause

Apple credits the fix to "improved memory handling," indicating that the original code path failed to validate buffer boundaries before reading or writing memory during file parsing. The defect allows attacker-controlled file contents to influence memory regions outside the intended allocation, producing exploitable corruption.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local. An attacker stages a malicious file and uses social engineering, phishing, supply chain channels, or compromised websites to deliver it to a macOS user. When the user opens or previews the file with the affected macOS component, the malformed data triggers the out-of-bounds access and may pivot to arbitrary code execution within the application process.

No verified public exploit code is available. Technical details beyond Apple's advisory are limited. Refer to the Apple Security Update HT214106 and the Full Disclosure mailing list post for additional context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27829

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes or termination of macOS applications shortly after a user opens a file from an untrusted source
Crash reports in ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ referencing memory access violations or EXC_BAD_ACCESS during file parsing
Spawning of unexpected child processes, shells, or network connections from GUI applications that parse documents or media files
Presence of macOS endpoints still running versions prior to Sonoma 14.5 in asset inventory

Detection Strategies

Monitor endpoint telemetry for anomalous process behavior following file open events, including unsigned binary execution and unexpected outbound connections
Correlate macOS Unified Log entries with crash diagnostic reports to identify repeated parser failures across users
Track software inventory data to flag macOS hosts that have not been upgraded to Sonoma 14.5 or later

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward macOS crash and Unified Log telemetry to a centralized analytics platform for behavioral analysis
Alert on file write events that place executable content in user-writable persistence locations such as ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
Review email and web gateway logs for delivery of attachments matching the file types processed by the vulnerable component

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27829

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade all macOS endpoints to macOS Sonoma 14.5 or later, which contains Apple's official fix
Inventory Mac fleet using MDM tooling to identify hosts still running vulnerable versions
Advise users to avoid opening files from untrusted senders, downloads, or removable media until patches are applied
Validate that automatic software update settings are enabled across managed Macs

Patch Information

Apple released the fix in macOS Sonoma 14.5. Apply the update via System Settings > General > Software Update, or through your MDM platform. Full details are available in the Apple Security Update HT214106 and the Apple Support article.

Workarounds

Restrict the opening of untrusted files in applications associated with the affected file-processing component until the patch is deployed
Enforce least-privilege user accounts so that arbitrary code execution is constrained by user-level permissions
Use email and web filtering to block or quarantine high-risk file types from external senders
Enable Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection (SIP) on all managed Macs to limit post-exploitation impact

bash

# Verify the running macOS version and confirm patch level
sw_vers -productVersion

# Trigger software update check (admin privileges required)
sudo softwareupdate --list
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart