CVE-2024-54486: Apple iPadOS Information Disclosure Bug

CVE-2024-54486 Overview

CVE-2024-54486 is a memory information disclosure vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. The vulnerability exists in the font processing subsystem, where insufficient validation of maliciously crafted font files can lead to the disclosure of process memory. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could obtain sensitive information from the memory of the affected process.

Critical Impact
Processing a maliciously crafted font may result in the disclosure of process memory, potentially exposing sensitive data such as encryption keys, authentication tokens, or other confidential information.

Affected Products

Apple iPadOS (versions prior to 17.7.3 and 18.2)
Apple iOS (versions prior to 18.2)
Apple macOS Sequoia (versions prior to 15.2)
Apple macOS Ventura (versions prior to 13.7.2)
Apple macOS Sonoma (versions prior to 14.7.2)
Apple watchOS (versions prior to 11.2)
Apple tvOS (versions prior to 18.2)
Apple visionOS (versions prior to 2.2)

Discovery Timeline

December 12, 2024 - CVE-2024-54486 published to NVD
November 3, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-54486

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability resides in Apple's font rendering engine, which is shared across all major Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The flaw allows for information disclosure when the system processes a specially crafted font file. Font rendering engines are inherently complex, parsing multiple data structures within font files to render text correctly. When input validation is insufficient, attackers can craft font files that cause the parser to read beyond intended memory boundaries, leaking sensitive process memory.

The vulnerability requires authentication and can be exploited over the network, though it cannot directly impact system integrity or availability. The primary risk is confidentiality loss, as an attacker could potentially extract sensitive data from the target process's memory space.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-54486 stems from insufficient input validation in the font processing code. When parsing font file structures, the affected code did not properly validate certain fields, allowing malformed font data to trigger out-of-bounds memory reads. Apple addressed this issue by implementing improved checks on font file data before processing, ensuring that malformed fonts cannot trigger memory disclosure.

Attack Vector

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by delivering a maliciously crafted font file to a victim's device. Potential attack vectors include:

Embedding malicious fonts in documents (PDF, Word, etc.) sent via email
Hosting malicious fonts on compromised or attacker-controlled websites
Including malicious fonts in applications distributed through unofficial channels
Delivering malicious fonts through messaging applications that support rich text

Once the font is processed by the system, the vulnerability could be triggered, allowing the attacker to disclose process memory contents.

The vulnerability can be exploited over a network with low attack complexity, though it requires the attacker to have some level of authentication or the ability to deliver the malicious font to an authenticated user context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54486

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual font files with anomalous structures or sizes appearing on systems
Unexpected font processing errors in system logs
Applications crashing while rendering documents containing embedded fonts
Network traffic attempting to exfiltrate data following font rendering operations

Detection Strategies

Monitor for unusual font file activity, particularly fonts with malformed headers or unexpected data structures
Implement endpoint detection rules to flag suspicious font parsing behavior
Review application logs for font rendering errors that may indicate exploitation attempts
Deploy behavioral analysis to detect memory access patterns indicative of information disclosure attacks

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose logging for font subsystems where possible to capture detailed error information
Establish baselines for normal font processing behavior to identify anomalies
Monitor for unexpected outbound network connections following document or font processing operations
Implement file integrity monitoring for font directories to detect unauthorized font additions

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54486

Immediate Actions Required

Update all Apple devices to the latest patched versions immediately
Prioritize updates for devices that process untrusted documents or fonts
Review and restrict which applications can install custom fonts
Educate users about the risks of opening documents from untrusted sources

Patch Information

Apple has released security updates to address this vulnerability across all affected platforms. Organizations should apply the following updates:

iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 - Apple Security Support Article #121837
iPadOS 17.7.3 - Apple Security Support Article #121838
macOS Sequoia 15.2 - Apple Security Support Article #121839
macOS Sonoma 14.7.2 - Apple Security Support Article #121840
macOS Ventura 13.7.2 - Apple Security Support Article #121842
watchOS 11.2 - Apple Security Support Article #121843
tvOS 18.2 - Apple Security Support Article #121844
visionOS 2.2 - Apple Security Support Article #121845

Workarounds

Restrict the ability to install custom fonts on managed devices using MDM policies
Configure email gateways to scan and filter documents containing embedded fonts
Use application sandboxing to limit the impact of potential memory disclosure
Implement network segmentation to contain potential data exfiltration from compromised devices

bash

# Example: Check current macOS version for patch status
sw_vers -productVersion
# Should show 15.2 or higher for macOS Sequoia
# Should show 14.7.2 or higher for macOS Sonoma
# Should show 13.7.2 or higher for macOS Ventura