CVE-2024-44233 Overview
CVE-2024-44233 is a memory safety vulnerability affecting video file parsing across Apple's operating system ecosystem. Parsing a maliciously crafted video file may trigger unexpected system termination, resulting in a denial-of-service condition on the affected device. The flaw is classified under [CWE-120] (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input) and was addressed through improved bounds checks. Apple resolved the issue across iOS, iPadOS, macOS Sequoia, macOS Sonoma, macOS Ventura, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, such as opening or previewing the malicious media file. No public exploit code or proof-of-concept has been released, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Critical Impact
A crafted video file can cause unexpected system termination on unpatched Apple devices, disrupting availability of the operating system.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS and iPadOS (versions prior to 17.7.1 and 18.1)
- Apple macOS Sequoia 15.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, macOS Ventura 13.7.1
- Apple tvOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1, and watchOS 11.1
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-11-01 - CVE-2024-44233 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2024-11-01 - Apple releases security updates addressing the issue across all affected platforms
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-44233
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-44233 resides in the video parsing logic used across Apple platforms. When the parser processes a maliciously crafted video file, insufficient boundary validation allows access beyond the intended buffer limits. This triggers unexpected termination of the affected process or system, producing a denial-of-service condition. Apple addressed the issue by introducing stricter bounds checking during the parse operation. Because the same media stack is shared across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS, the flaw impacts the entire Apple device fleet running vulnerable versions.
Root Cause
The root cause is inadequate validation of size and offset fields during video container or codec parsing. The parser trusts attacker-controlled length values without confirming they fit within the destination buffer. This behavior aligns with [CWE-120], where a buffer copy proceeds without verifying the size of the input against the target allocation.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires an attacker to deliver a crafted video file to the target device and induce the user to open or preview it. Delivery paths include messaging applications, email attachments, malicious websites, and AirDrop transfers. Because impact is limited to availability, the vulnerability does not, on its own, provide code execution or data disclosure. Attackers may combine it with additional flaws to build more complete exploit chains.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available for CVE-2024-44233.
Refer to the Apple security advisories for authoritative technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-44233
Indicators of Compromise
- Repeated unexpected crashes of media-handling processes such as mediaserverd, VideoToolbox, or AVFoundation clients when opening specific video files.
- Presence of unsolicited video files delivered through Messages, Mail, or AirDrop from unknown senders.
- Crash reports in ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ or MDM-collected mobile crash logs referencing media parsing frames.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for abnormal termination patterns in Apple media parsing services correlated with user file opens.
- Inspect mail and messaging gateways for inbound video files (.mp4, .mov, .m4v) originating from untrusted senders and quarantine suspicious samples.
- Query MDM inventory to identify devices running OS builds below the patched versions across the fleet.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Centralize crash and diagnostic logs from Apple endpoints into a SIEM to correlate media-related crashes across users.
- Track patch compliance dashboards and alert when devices remain on vulnerable iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS builds.
- Baseline normal media application behavior to surface anomalous process restarts following file interactions.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-44233
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Apple devices to iOS 17.7.1, iPadOS 17.7.1, iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, macOS Ventura 13.7.1, tvOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1, or watchOS 11.1 as applicable.
- Instruct users to avoid opening video files received from unknown or untrusted senders until patches are applied.
- Enforce OS update policies through MDM to accelerate deployment across managed fleets.
Patch Information
Apple published security advisories describing the fix and the affected releases. Review Apple Support Document 121563, Apple Support Document 121565, Apple Support Document 121566, Apple Support Document 121567, Apple Support Document 121568, Apple Support Document 121569, and Apple Support Document 121570 for the complete list of fixed builds per platform.
Workarounds
- Restrict inbound video files from untrusted sources at mail and messaging gateways where feasible.
- Disable AirDrop reception from non-contacts on mobile devices to reduce opportunistic delivery paths.
- Educate users to preview media only from known senders until affected devices are patched.
# Verify current macOS build against the patched versions
sw_vers -productVersion
# Trigger a software update check on macOS
sudo softwareupdate --list
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
