CVE-2024-44126 Overview
CVE-2024-44126 is a heap corruption vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. Processing a maliciously crafted file can trigger an out-of-bounds write [CWE-787] leading to heap corruption. Apple addressed the issue with improved checks across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. The flaw requires local access and user interaction, but successful exploitation yields high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Critical Impact
A local attacker who convinces a user to open a crafted file can corrupt heap memory, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution within the affected process context.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS and iPadOS (versions prior to 17.7 and 18)
- Apple macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia (prior to 13.7.1, 14.7, and 15)
- Apple visionOS (prior to 2)
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-28 - CVE-2024-44126 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-44126
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified as an out-of-bounds write [CWE-787] that results in heap corruption. When a vulnerable Apple component parses a maliciously crafted file, memory operations write beyond allocated heap boundaries. This corruption can overwrite adjacent heap metadata or object pointers within the same process. Depending on heap layout, an attacker can steer control flow to attacker-controlled data.
Apple's advisory notes the fix was implemented through improved input validation checks. The vulnerability affects the file processing components shared across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS, indicating a common code path in Apple's platform frameworks.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient validation of file contents during parsing. Malformed structures in the crafted file cause length or index calculations to exceed allocated buffer bounds. The absence of adequate bounds checks permits writes past the end of the heap allocation, corrupting neighboring memory regions.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access and user interaction. An attacker must deliver a malicious file and induce the victim to open or process it with a vulnerable Apple application. The attack does not require prior authentication. Successful exploitation grants the attacker code execution primitives within the parsing process, which may be used for privilege escalation or sandbox escape depending on the affected component.
No public proof-of-concept or exploit is currently available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. See the Full Disclosure Security Post for additional technical discussion.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-44126
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected process crashes or EXC_BAD_ACCESS exceptions in Apple file-handling components after opening untrusted documents
- Presence of crafted files delivered via email, messaging apps, or removable media from untrusted sources
- Anomalous child process creation from user-facing document viewers or file parsers
Detection Strategies
- Monitor macOS Unified Logs and iOS crash reports for repeated segmentation faults in shared file-parsing frameworks
- Correlate file open events with subsequent process instability or unusual system calls
- Inspect endpoint telemetry for suspicious downloads followed by user interaction with document viewers
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable centralized collection of macOS Endpoint Security Framework events for file open and process execution activity
- Track OS version and patch level across the fleet to identify unpatched Apple endpoints
- Alert on execution of unsigned or newly downloaded binaries spawned from document-handling processes
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-44126
Immediate Actions Required
- Update affected devices to iOS 17.7 or iOS 18, iPadOS 17.7 or iPadOS 18, macOS Ventura 13.7.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7, macOS Sequoia 15, or visionOS 2
- Inventory all Apple endpoints and prioritize patching for systems that process untrusted files
- Warn users against opening files from unknown or untrusted sources until patches are applied
Patch Information
Apple released fixes across multiple advisories. Refer to Apple Support Document #121238, Apple Support Document #121246, Apple Support Document #121247, Apple Support Document #121249, Apple Support Document #121250, and Apple Support Document #121568 for platform-specific details. The fix was implemented via improved input validation checks in affected file-parsing components.
Workarounds
- Restrict handling of files from untrusted sources on unpatched devices
- Use mobile device management (MDM) policies to enforce timely OS updates across the fleet
- Apply application allowlisting to limit which processes can open user-supplied files on macOS endpoints
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
