CVE-2024-44236: Apple macOS Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2024-44236 Overview

CVE-2024-44236 is an out-of-bounds access vulnerability affecting Apple macOS. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected application termination, resulting in a denial-of-service condition on the local system. Apple addressed the issue with improved bounds checking in macOS Sequoia 15.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, and macOS Ventura 13.7.1. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-125] Out-of-Bounds Read and [CWE-787] Out-of-Bounds Write. Exploitation requires user interaction through opening or processing the crafted file locally.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation causes unexpected application termination, disrupting availability of affected macOS processes when a user opens a maliciously crafted file.

Affected Products

Apple macOS Ventura versions prior to 13.7.1
Apple macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.7.1
Apple macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.1

Discovery Timeline

2024-10-28 - CVE-2024-44236 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-44236

Vulnerability Analysis

The flaw resides in file-parsing logic within an affected macOS component. When the parser processes a maliciously crafted input file, it accesses memory outside the bounds of an allocated buffer. This out-of-bounds access leads to unexpected process termination and a denial-of-service condition. The issue is tracked under both [CWE-125] Out-of-Bounds Read and [CWE-787] Out-of-Bounds Write, indicating boundary handling errors during structured data processing. Apple resolved the defect with improved bounds checking in the affected parsing routines.

Root Cause

The underlying root cause is insufficient validation of length or offset fields inside file structures. The parser trusts attacker-controlled values and computes memory accesses without confirming they remain within allocated buffers. When crafted values point beyond the buffer, the process reads or writes invalid memory and terminates. Apple's fix introduces additional bounds checks before performing these memory operations.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access and user interaction. An attacker must deliver a maliciously crafted file to the target and convince the user to open or process it with a vulnerable macOS component. The vulnerability does not enable network-based exploitation and does not directly permit code execution or data disclosure. The primary impact is availability loss through unexpected application termination. Technical details are described in the Apple Security Advisory 121564, Apple Security Advisory 121568, and Apple Security Advisory 121570.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-44236

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected application crashes when opening files from untrusted sources on macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or Sequoia systems predating the October 2024 patches.
Crash reports in ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ referencing out-of-bounds memory access or segmentation faults tied to file-parsing components.
Recurring termination of the same process after specific file types are opened from email, download, or removable media sources.

Detection Strategies

Inventory endpoints running macOS versions earlier than 13.7.1, 14.7.1, or 15.1 using management tools such as MDM or endpoint telemetry.
Correlate diagnostic crash logs with recent file open events to identify potentially malicious files triggering the fault.
Monitor for delivery of unusual or unexpected file types via email gateways, browser downloads, and file-sharing services.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward macOS unified logs and ReportCrash output to a centralized log platform for retention and analysis.
Alert on repeated abnormal termination of the same user-facing application within short intervals.
Track patch compliance across the macOS fleet to detect systems still exposed after Apple's October 2024 release.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-44236

Immediate Actions Required

Update affected systems to macOS Sequoia 15.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, or macOS Ventura 13.7.1 or later.
Instruct users to avoid opening files from untrusted or unsolicited sources until patching is complete.
Verify patch deployment through MDM reporting or endpoint management dashboards to confirm remediation.

Patch Information

Apple released fixes on October 28, 2024, in macOS Sequoia 15.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1, and macOS Ventura 13.7.1. The remediation adds improved bounds checking to the affected file-processing code path. Full details are documented in the Apple Security Advisory 121568 and Apple Security Advisory 121570.

Workarounds

Restrict handling of untrusted files on unpatched systems by routing them through sandboxed environments or dedicated review workstations.
Use email and web filtering to block or quarantine suspicious file types before they reach macOS endpoints.
Apply application allow-listing or Gatekeeper policies to limit which applications can open externally sourced files.

bash

# Verify current macOS version and confirm patch level
sw_vers
softwareupdate --list
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart