CVE-2024-27857 Overview
CVE-2024-27857 is an out-of-bounds access vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS Sonoma, tvOS, and visionOS. The flaw allows a remote attacker to cause unexpected application termination or execute arbitrary code by triggering improper memory boundary handling. Apple addressed the issue with improved bounds checking in iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5, tvOS 17.5, and visionOS 1.2. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-119] (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) and [CWE-94] (Improper Control of Generation of Code).
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution or unexpected app termination on Apple devices, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 17.5
- Apple macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.5
- Apple tvOS versions prior to 17.5 and visionOS versions prior to 1.2
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-06-10 - CVE-2024-27857 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-27857
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from an out-of-bounds access condition in a component shared across Apple's operating system family. When processing crafted input, the affected code path fails to validate memory boundaries before accessing buffer contents. This condition can lead to memory corruption, allowing an attacker to influence process execution flow.
The issue impacts multiple Apple platforms that share common code components. Apple resolved the flaw by implementing improved bounds checking in the affected routines. The vulnerability requires user interaction and local access, which limits remote weaponization but remains viable through malicious files or documents processed by vulnerable applications.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient validation of memory buffer boundaries during data processing operations. The affected code performs read or write operations beyond the intended buffer limits, mapping to [CWE-119]. In parallel, the [CWE-94] classification indicates that this boundary violation can be leveraged to influence code generation or execution paths within the affected process.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access with user interaction, typically achieved by convincing a victim to open a malicious file or media object processed by a vulnerable Apple application. Once the crafted content is parsed, the out-of-bounds access is triggered. Depending on the memory layout and mitigations present, the outcome ranges from application crash to arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected process.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available at the time of writing. See the Full Disclosure Mailing List Post and Apple advisories for technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27857
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected termination or repeated crashes of Apple applications processing untrusted content
- Crash reports containing memory access violations referencing out-of-bounds read or write conditions
- Anomalous child process spawning from user-facing applications on macOS endpoints
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for abnormal process crashes correlated with recent file open or media processing events
- Inspect macOS unified logs and crash reporter output for signatures matching memory corruption in affected components
- Correlate delivery vectors such as email attachments or downloaded media with subsequent application instability
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track Apple OS version distribution across managed endpoints and flag devices running pre-patch versions
- Ingest macOS and iOS crash logs into a centralized data lake for retrospective analysis and hunting
- Alert on post-exploitation behaviors including unauthorized persistence, credential access, or outbound connections following application crashes
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27857
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Apple devices to iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5, tvOS 17.5, or visionOS 1.2 or later
- Prioritize patching of user-facing endpoints that regularly process external files, media, or web content
- Restrict opening of untrusted files, attachments, and links until all endpoints are patched
Patch Information
Apple released fixes across all affected platforms. Refer to the vendor advisories: Apple Security Update 120901, Apple Security Update 120903, Apple Security Update 120905, and Apple Security Update 120906. Additional documentation is available at Apple Technical Documentation HT214101, HT214102, HT214106, and HT214108.
Workarounds
- Enforce Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies to require minimum OS versions on enrolled devices
- Disable automatic preview or rendering of untrusted media in vulnerable applications where feasible
- Apply application allowlisting to reduce exposure from unnecessary or high-risk software processing external content
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
