CVE-2024-44218 Overview
CVE-2024-44218 is a heap corruption vulnerability affecting Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Processing a maliciously crafted file can trigger memory corruption on the heap, enabling attackers to compromise application integrity and confidentiality. Apple addressed the issue with improved checks in iOS 17.7.1, iPadOS 17.7.1, iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.1. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction to open or process the malicious file. The flaw is tracked under CWE-787 (Out-of-Bounds Write) and CWE-120 (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input).
Critical Impact
A local attacker can trigger heap corruption by delivering a crafted file, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with full impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS versions prior to 17.7.1 and 18.1
- Apple iPadOS versions prior to 17.7.1 and 18.1
- Apple macOS Sonoma prior to 14.7.1 and macOS Sequoia prior to 15.1
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-28 - CVE-2024-44218 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-44218
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in file-parsing logic within Apple operating systems. When the affected component processes a maliciously crafted file, insufficient boundary validation permits an out-of-bounds write into heap memory. Apple describes the remediation as "improved checks," indicating that the pre-patch code path lacked adequate size or bounds verification before writing parsed data into a heap-allocated buffer.
Exploitation requires that a user open, preview, or otherwise process a crafted file on the affected device. Successful exploitation can corrupt adjacent heap structures, allowing an attacker to influence control flow or manipulate application state. Apple has not published detailed technical write-ups of the affected component.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper bounds checking during file parsing, aligning with CWE-787 (Out-of-Bounds Write) and CWE-120 (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input). The vulnerable routine writes attacker-controlled data past the boundary of an allocated heap buffer, corrupting adjacent memory allocations and metadata.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local with required user interaction. An attacker must deliver a crafted file to the target device through channels such as email attachments, messaging apps, downloaded content, or removable media. When the file is processed by the vulnerable component, heap corruption occurs. No prior authentication is required for the attacker to place the file, but the victim must trigger processing of the file.
Detailed exploitation specifics have not been publicly disclosed. Refer to the Apple Security Update 121563, Apple Security Update 121567, and Apple Security Update 121570 advisories for vendor guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-44218
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected application crashes or hangs in file-viewing or file-preview processes on unpatched iOS, iPadOS, or macOS devices
- Diagnostic reports referencing heap corruption, EXC_BAD_ACCESS, or malloc-related aborts following the opening of an untrusted file
- Delivery of unsolicited files from untrusted senders shortly before crash artifacts appear on the device
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for abnormal child-process behavior spawned by file-handling applications on macOS
- Correlate crash logs from ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ with recent file downloads or messaging attachments
- Inventory Apple devices and flag systems running builds older than iOS/iPadOS 17.7.1, iOS/iPadOS 18.1, macOS 14.7.1, or macOS 15.1
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track OS build versions across managed Apple fleets through Mobile Device Management (MDM) reporting
- Enable macOS Endpoint Security telemetry to capture file-open events for high-risk file types from untrusted sources
- Alert on repeated crash signatures in file parsers, which may indicate active exploitation attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-44218
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all iPhone and iPad devices to iOS 17.7.1, iPadOS 17.7.1, iOS 18.1, or iPadOS 18.1 or later
- Update macOS Sonoma systems to 14.7.1 and macOS Sequoia systems to 15.1 or later
- Instruct users not to open files from unknown or untrusted senders until patches are applied
- Verify patch deployment through MDM compliance reports across managed Apple fleets
Patch Information
Apple released fixes across multiple advisories. Reference Apple Security Update 121563 for macOS Sequoia 15.1, Apple Security Update 121567 for iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, and Apple Security Update 121570 for iOS 17.7.1 and iPadOS 17.7.1. Additional details are available in Apple Security Update 121564.
Workarounds
- Restrict processing of files from untrusted origins on unpatched devices until updates can be applied
- Use MDM configuration profiles to limit installation of applications that automatically preview unknown file formats
- Enforce email and messaging gateway policies that quarantine unusual attachment types targeting Apple endpoints
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
