CVE-2024-27863: Apple iPadOS Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2024-27863 Overview

CVE-2024-27863 is an information disclosure vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems that stems from insufficient private data redaction in log entries. A local attacker with low privileges can exploit this flaw to determine kernel memory layout information, which could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain to bypass security mitigations such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR).

Critical Impact

Local attackers can leak sensitive kernel memory layout information, potentially enabling exploitation of other kernel vulnerabilities by defeating KASLR protections.

Affected Products

• Apple iOS (versions prior to 17.6)
• Apple iPadOS (versions prior to 17.6)
• Apple macOS Sonoma (versions prior to 14.6)
• Apple tvOS (versions prior to 17.6)
• Apple visionOS (versions prior to 1.3)
• Apple watchOS (versions prior to 10.6)

Discovery Timeline

• July 29, 2024 - CVE-2024-27863 published to NVD
• November 4, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-27863

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists in the logging subsystem across Apple's operating system family. The core issue involves inadequate sanitization of sensitive kernel memory information before it is written to system log entries. When kernel operations generate log events, memory addresses and layout information that should remain confidential are exposed without proper redaction.

Kernel memory layout information is particularly sensitive because modern operating systems employ KASLR as a critical security mitigation. KASLR randomizes the base address where the kernel is loaded in memory, making it significantly harder for attackers to predict the location of kernel code and data structures needed for exploitation. By leaking this information through log entries, an attacker can effectively neutralize KASLR protections.

The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges to exploit, meaning an attacker would need an existing foothold on the target device. However, once exploited, the information gained could be combined with other kernel vulnerabilities to achieve privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution in kernel context.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-27863 lies in improper data handling within the logging infrastructure. Specifically, when kernel subsystems generate log entries during normal operation, certain memory pointers, base addresses, or structure layouts are included in the log output without being properly masked or redacted. This represents a failure in the principle of least privilege for information exposure—log data accessible to user-space processes should never contain kernel-internal memory layout details.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to have existing access to the device with at least low-level privileges. The exploitation path involves:

1. The attacker gains initial access to an affected Apple device
2. The attacker reads system log files or monitors log streams accessible to their privilege level
3. Log entries containing unredacted kernel memory information are captured
4. The attacker parses these logs to extract kernel base addresses or memory layout details
5. This information is then used to calculate the locations of kernel structures for subsequent exploitation

The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a local scope, meaning the impact is contained to the vulnerable system itself. The primary consequence is a breach of confidentiality, particularly regarding kernel memory layout information that should remain protected.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27863

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual log access patterns by non-administrative processes or unfamiliar applications
• Processes repeatedly querying or parsing system logs for memory address patterns
• Evidence of log aggregation or exfiltration targeting kernel-related log sources
• Scripts or tools designed to extract hexadecimal addresses from log files

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for suspicious processes accessing /var/log/ directories or using system logging APIs with elevated frequency
• Implement endpoint detection rules that alert on regex patterns searching for kernel memory addresses in logs
• Deploy behavioral analysis to detect reconnaissance activity that precedes privilege escalation attempts
• Utilize SentinelOne's behavioral AI to identify processes exhibiting log parsing behavior combined with subsequent suspicious kernel interactions

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive audit logging on Apple devices to track log file access
• Configure SIEM solutions to correlate log access events with subsequent privilege escalation indicators
• Establish baselines for normal log access patterns to detect anomalous behavior
• Monitor for the presence of known exploitation tools targeting kernel information disclosure vulnerabilities

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27863

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all affected Apple devices to the patched versions immediately: iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, tvOS 17.6, visionOS 1.3, and watchOS 10.6
• Prioritize patching devices that are shared or accessible to multiple users
• Restrict log access permissions to essential administrative accounts only
• Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized tools from accessing system logs

Patch Information

Apple has addressed this vulnerability with improved private data redaction for log entries. Security updates are available through the following official channels:

• iOS and iPadOS 17.6: Apple Support Article HT214117
• macOS Sonoma 14.6: Apple Support Article HT214119
• tvOS 17.6: Apple Support Article HT214122
• visionOS 1.3: Apple Support Article HT214123
• watchOS 10.6: Apple Support Article HT214124

Workarounds

• Restrict physical access to devices that cannot be immediately patched
• Limit user accounts on shared devices and enforce the principle of least privilege
• Implement additional monitoring on unpatched systems to detect potential exploitation attempts
• Consider network segmentation to isolate unpatched devices from sensitive resources

# Verify macOS version to confirm patch status
sw_vers -productVersion
# Expected output for patched systems: 14.6 or higher

# Check iOS/iPadOS version via command line (if accessible)
# Navigate to Settings > General > About > Software Version
# Expected: 17.6 or higher