CVE-2024-27832 Overview
CVE-2024-27832 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw stems from insufficient validation checks within an unspecified system component shared across Apple's platform ecosystem. A malicious application installed on a vulnerable device can leverage the weakness to elevate privileges beyond its sandbox or assigned permissions.
Apple addressed the issue with improved checks in iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5, tvOS 17.5, visionOS 1.2, and watchOS 10.5. The Common Weakness Enumeration mapping references [CWE-703] (Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions).
Critical Impact
A locally installed app can elevate privileges on the device, leading to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS and iPadOS prior to 17.5
- Apple macOS Sonoma prior to 14.5
- Apple tvOS prior to 17.5, visionOS prior to 1.2, and watchOS prior to 10.5
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-06-10 - CVE-2024-27832 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-27832
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-27832 is categorized as a privilege escalation vulnerability affecting the shared codebase across Apple's operating systems. Apple's advisory describes the root issue as missing or insufficient validation checks, which the patch remediated by introducing improved checks. The vulnerability requires local access through an installed application and user interaction to trigger the escalation path.
Successful exploitation grants an attacker elevated privileges on the device. This breaks the application sandbox model that isolates third-party code from sensitive system resources. Once elevated, an attacker can read protected data, modify system state, or persist on the device.
The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) places this vulnerability in the 43rd percentile of likelihood of exploitation. No public proof-of-concept has been observed, and CISA has not added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Root Cause
The root cause, as disclosed by Apple, is an exceptional condition handling weakness ([CWE-703]) in which the affected component fails to adequately validate inputs or state transitions before granting access to higher-privileged operations. Apple's remediation introduced additional validation logic to close the gap.
Attack Vector
An attacker must first deliver a malicious application to the target device through the App Store, sideloading on supported platforms, or social engineering. Once executed, the application abuses the inadequate checks to obtain elevated privileges. The vulnerability requires local code execution and user interaction, but does not require pre-existing authentication beyond standard app installation.
No verified public exploit code is available. Apple has not published low-level technical details beyond the language in its security advisories. Refer to the Apple Security Advisory HT214101 and related platform advisories for vendor documentation.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27832
Indicators of Compromise
- Apple devices reporting OS versions below iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5, tvOS 17.5, visionOS 1.2, or watchOS 10.5
- Unsigned or unexpectedly entitled processes executing with elevated privileges on macOS endpoints
- Crash reports referencing unexpected exceptions in system frameworks following third-party app launches
Detection Strategies
- Inventory all Apple endpoints and correlate installed OS build numbers against the patched versions listed in Apple's advisories
- Monitor macOS unified logs and Endpoint Security framework events for anomalous privilege transitions originating from third-party applications
- Review MDM compliance dashboards to identify devices running pre-patch versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable continuous OS version reporting through your Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform
- Alert on installation of applications from outside trusted distribution channels on managed Macs and mobile devices
- Aggregate macOS process telemetry and authentication events into a centralized analytics platform for anomaly review
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27832
Immediate Actions Required
- Update affected devices to iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5, tvOS 17.5, visionOS 1.2, or watchOS 10.5 or later without delay
- Enforce automatic OS updates through MDM policy on managed Apple fleets
- Restrict installation of untrusted applications and review currently installed third-party apps for unknown publishers
Patch Information
Apple released patches across the platform ecosystem on May 13, 2024. Refer to the vendor advisories for build-specific details: HT214101, HT214102, HT214104, HT214106, and HT214108. A consolidated entry is also available in the Full Disclosure Security Bulletin.
Workarounds
- No vendor-supplied workaround exists; applying the OS update is the only supported remediation
- Reduce exposure by limiting application installation to vetted sources and enforcing least privilege for user accounts
- Use MDM configuration profiles to block installation of unmanaged apps on enrolled devices until patches are deployed
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
