CVE-2024-40788 Overview
CVE-2024-40788 is a type confusion vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw allows a local attacker to trigger an unexpected system shutdown on impacted devices. Apple addressed the issue with improved memory handling across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS in security updates released in July 2024.
The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-843: Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges and does not require user interaction. The impact is limited to availability, with no confidentiality or integrity exposure.
Critical Impact
A local attacker with low privileges can cause unexpected system shutdown on affected Apple devices, resulting in denial of service.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS and iPadOS (versions prior to 16.7.9 and 17.6)
- Apple macOS Monterey 12.7.6, macOS Ventura 13.6.8, macOS Sonoma 14.6
- Apple tvOS 17.6, visionOS 1.3, watchOS 10.6
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-07-29 - CVE-2024-40788 published to NVD
- 2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-40788
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-40788 is classified as a type confusion flaw [CWE-843]. Type confusion occurs when code accesses a resource using an incompatible type, leading to memory being interpreted incorrectly. In Apple's affected components, this misinterpretation triggers a fault that the kernel cannot recover from, resulting in an unexpected shutdown.
The vulnerability is exploitable only from a local attack surface. An attacker must already have code execution on the device with low privileges. There is no remote attack vector, and user interaction is not required to trigger the condition.
Apple's advisory states the fix involves improved memory handling. While Apple did not disclose the affected component publicly, the fix is bundled into the July 2024 security update wave covering all major Apple platforms.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation of object types before memory access. When the vulnerable code path accesses an object cast to an incompatible type, the resulting memory operation produces undefined behavior. In this case the behavior manifests as a system-level fault that forces shutdown.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access with authenticated low-privileged execution. An attacker running a malicious application or process on the device can trigger the type confusion condition to cause denial of service. There is no public proof-of-concept and no evidence of in-the-wild exploitation. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No verified exploit code is publicly available. Refer to the Apple security advisories for vendor-specific technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-40788
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected system shutdowns or reboots on Apple endpoints without prior user action or hardware issue.
- Crash reports or panic logs referencing kernel faults shortly after execution of an untrusted local process.
- Repeated process launches from a single low-privileged account preceding device shutdown events.
Detection Strategies
- Collect and review macOS unified logs and iOS crash diagnostics for kernel panics correlating with third-party process activity.
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for installations of unsigned or unknown applications immediately preceding shutdown events.
- Correlate device uptime anomalies across the fleet with software inventory data to surface clusters of affected devices.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable centralized log forwarding from macOS endpoints to a SIEM for kernel and crash report visibility.
- Track operating system version inventory to identify devices still running pre-patch builds.
- Alert on processes launched by low-privileged users that immediately precede device crash or shutdown telemetry.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-40788
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Apple devices to iOS 16.7.9, iPadOS 16.7.9, iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, macOS Monterey 12.7.6, macOS Ventura 13.6.8, macOS Sonoma 14.6, tvOS 17.6, visionOS 1.3, or watchOS 10.6 or later.
- Inventory all Apple endpoints to identify systems running affected versions and prioritize patching for shared or multi-user devices.
- Restrict installation of unsigned or untrusted applications on managed Apple devices through MDM policies.
Patch Information
Apple released patches on July 29, 2024 across all affected platforms. Reference the vendor advisories for each platform: HT214116, HT214117, HT214118, HT214119, HT214120, HT214122, HT214123, and HT214124.
Workarounds
- No vendor-provided workaround exists. Apply the security update as the primary remediation.
- Limit local user privileges and restrict installation of untrusted applications to reduce the local attack surface until patches are deployed.
- Enforce application allowlisting and code signing requirements on managed endpoints via MDM.
# Verify macOS version on an endpoint
sw_vers -productVersion
# Check for pending Apple software updates
softwareupdate --list
# Install all available Apple software updates
sudo softwareupdate -i -a --restart
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
