CVE-2024-54529: Apple macOS Sandbox Escape RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-54529 Overview

CVE-2024-54529 is a logic flaw in Apple macOS that allows a malicious application to execute arbitrary code outside its sandbox or with elevated privileges. Apple resolved the issue with improved checks in macOS Sequoia 15.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, and macOS Ventura 13.7.2. The flaw maps to [CWE-94] (Improper Control of Generation of Code) and requires local access plus user interaction. Successful exploitation provides high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected host. The vulnerability was published to the NVD on December 12, 2024.

Critical Impact
A local app can break out of the macOS sandbox or gain elevated privileges, enabling arbitrary code execution outside its expected security boundary.

Affected Products

Apple macOS Ventura prior to 13.7.2
Apple macOS Sonoma prior to 14.7.2
Apple macOS Sequoia prior to 15.2

Discovery Timeline

2024-12-11 - Apple publishes Security Advisories 121839, 121840, and 121842
2024-12-12 - CVE-2024-54529 published to NVD
2026-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-54529

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a logic issue in macOS that fails to enforce the intended sandbox or privilege boundary for a local application. Apple's advisory states that an app may execute arbitrary code outside its sandbox or with certain elevated privileges. The flaw is categorized under [CWE-94], indicating improper control over code generation or execution paths. Exploitation requires local code execution on the device and a user interaction step, such as launching or interacting with a crafted application. The condition for triggering the issue was corrected through improved validation checks introduced in the December 2024 macOS updates.

Root Cause

The root cause is a missing or incorrect logic check that governs whether code originating inside a sandboxed context can reach a higher-privileged execution path. Because the check is logic-based rather than memory-corruption-based, exploitation does not depend on heap or stack manipulation. Apple's fix introduces additional validation to ensure the privilege transition is denied for unauthorized callers.

Attack Vector

An attacker delivers a malicious macOS application to a user, typically through download, supply chain compromise, or post-compromise tooling on an already-infected host. After the user launches the app, the application invokes the vulnerable code path to escape its sandbox or invoke functionality available only to higher-privileged processes. The result is arbitrary code execution with broader filesystem and system access than the sandbox would normally permit.

Verified proof-of-concept code is not publicly available. Additional discussion of the December 2024 Apple advisories appears in the Full Disclosure mailing list archive (Dec 7) and Full Disclosure (Dec 9).

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54529

Indicators of Compromise

Unsigned or ad-hoc-signed applications launching child processes outside their declared sandbox container path.
Processes spawned by sandboxed apps that access protected directories such as /Library/LaunchDaemons or user TCC-protected locations.
Unexpected entitlement use or XPC service connections from third-party applications shortly after launch.

Detection Strategies

Monitor Endpoint Security framework events (ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_EXEC, ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_OPEN) for sandboxed processes touching paths outside their container.
Audit sandbox_check() denials and com.apple.sandbox log entries via log show --predicate 'subsystem == "com.apple.sandbox"'.
Correlate process lineage anomalies where a sandboxed parent spawns a child running with elevated effective UID or additional entitlements.

Monitoring Recommendations

Track macOS version inventory and flag endpoints still running builds older than 13.7.2, 14.7.2, or 15.2.
Forward Unified Logging system events related to sandbox, amfid, and launchd to a central SIEM for retrospective analysis.
Alert on installation or execution of newly observed binaries that request entitlements inconsistent with their developer profile.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54529

Immediate Actions Required

Update affected systems to macOS Sequoia 15.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, or macOS Ventura 13.7.2 immediately.
Restrict installation of applications to those signed by trusted developers and notarized by Apple.
Review recently installed third-party applications and remove any that are unsigned or from untrusted sources.

Patch Information

Apple addressed the issue with improved checks. Patch details are available in Apple Security Advisory 121839, Apple Security Advisory 121840, and Apple Security Advisory 121842. Administrators should deploy these updates through MDM or Software Update across all managed macOS endpoints.

Workarounds

Enforce Gatekeeper at the strictest setting to block applications from unidentified developers.
Apply MDM configuration profiles that prevent users from installing apps outside the Mac App Store or approved distribution channels.
Limit standard user accounts from administrative roles to reduce post-exploitation impact pending patch deployment.

bash

# Verify macOS build and enforce strict Gatekeeper policy
sw_vers -productVersion
sudo spctl --master-enable
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.security GKAutoRearm -bool NO