CVE-2024-44277: Apple iPadOS Use-After-Free Vulnerability

CVE-2024-44277 Overview

CVE-2024-44277 is a memory corruption vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. A malicious application can trigger unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory on affected devices. Apple addressed the issue through improved memory handling in iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, tvOS 18.1, and visionOS 2.1. The flaw is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-Bounds Write) and requires local access with user interaction for exploitation.

Critical Impact
An app running on an affected Apple device can corrupt kernel memory or cause unexpected system termination, undermining kernel integrity and device availability.

Affected Products

Apple iOS and iPadOS prior to 18.1
Apple macOS Sequoia prior to 15.1 and tvOS prior to 18.1
Apple visionOS prior to 2.1

Discovery Timeline

2024-10-28 - CVE-2024-44277 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-44277

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-44277 is an out-of-bounds write flaw (CWE-787) that Apple resolved with improved memory handling. When triggered by a malicious application, the condition writes data outside allocated buffer boundaries within a kernel-accessible code path. The result is either unexpected system termination (a denial-of-service condition) or corruption of kernel memory structures.

Kernel memory corruption on Apple platforms carries meaningful risk. An attacker who controls the corrupted memory contents can potentially influence kernel execution flow, elevate privileges, or bypass platform sandbox boundaries. Apple's advisories (see Apple Support 121563, 121566, and 121569) confirm the fix scope but do not disclose the affected component.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper bounds validation on a memory write operation reachable from an application context. Apple's remediation language of "improved memory handling" indicates that the fix strengthens boundary checks or memory allocation logic within the vulnerable code path.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is local: an attacker must deliver and execute a crafted application on the target device. User interaction is required, meaning the victim must install and launch the malicious app. Once running, the app issues the operation that triggers the out-of-bounds write, corrupting kernel memory or terminating the system.

No verified proof-of-concept code has been published. Additional technical discussion appears on the Full Disclosure mailing list.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-44277

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected kernel panics or system reboots on iOS, iPadOS, macOS Sequoia, tvOS, or visionOS devices running versions prior to the 18.1 / 15.1 / 2.1 release train.
Repeated crash reports referencing memory access violations tied to a specific third-party application.
Presence of unsigned or sideloaded applications on managed devices that predate the October 2024 Apple security updates.

Detection Strategies

Collect and inspect device crash logs (ips files) through MDM or Apple Business Manager for kernel panics correlated with recently installed applications.
Compare installed OS build numbers against Apple's fixed versions (iOS/iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, tvOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1) across the fleet.
Flag mobile devices that consistently fail to receive the 18.1 / 15.1 update train for follow-up investigation.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enroll Apple endpoints in MDM to enforce reporting of OS version, patch state, and crash telemetry.
Monitor application inventory for unauthorized installers or enterprise-signed applications delivered outside sanctioned channels.
Establish alerting on repeated device restart events, which can indicate exploitation attempts or successful kernel memory corruption.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-44277

Immediate Actions Required

Update all Apple devices to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, tvOS 18.1, or visionOS 2.1 or later.
Audit installed applications and remove any that are untrusted, sideloaded, or delivered outside the App Store and MDM-approved catalogs.
Enforce OS update policies through MDM to prevent devices from remaining on vulnerable versions.

Patch Information

Apple released fixes in the October 2024 security update train. Refer to Apple Support 121563, Apple Support 121564, Apple Support 121566, and Apple Support 121569 for platform-specific release notes and download links.

Workarounds

Restrict application installation sources to the App Store and enterprise-approved MDM deployments while patching is in progress.
Disable installation of untrusted developer profiles and configuration profiles on managed iOS and iPadOS devices.
Isolate or decommission devices that cannot be upgraded to the fixed OS versions, particularly older hardware ineligible for the 18.1 / 15.1 update train.

bash

# Verify installed OS version on macOS
sw_vers -productVersion

# Example MDM compliance rule (pseudocode)
# require: osVersion >= 15.1 (macOS Sequoia)
# require: osVersion >= 18.1 (iOS / iPadOS / tvOS)
# require: osVersion >= 2.1  (visionOS)