CVE-2024-54568: Apple macOS Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2024-54568 Overview

CVE-2024-54568 is a memory handling vulnerability in Apple macOS that Apple addressed in macOS Sequoia 15.2. Parsing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected application termination, resulting in a denial-of-service condition. The flaw is categorized under [CWE-120] (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input) and requires user interaction to trigger. The vulnerability affects the file parsing components shipped with macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.2.

Critical Impact
Attackers who deliver a crafted file to a target can cause application crashes on unpatched macOS systems, disrupting availability of the affected process.

Affected Products

Apple macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.2
Applications on macOS that invoke the vulnerable file parsing routines
Systems processing untrusted files received over the network or via email

Discovery Timeline

2025-08-29 - CVE-2024-54568 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-54568

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in a macOS file parsing component that improperly handles memory during input processing. When the affected component parses a maliciously crafted file, it triggers a memory handling error that terminates the consuming application. Apple's advisory describes the fix as improved memory handling, consistent with [CWE-120] buffer copy without size checking.

The impact is limited to availability. There is no reported confidentiality or integrity impact, and the vulnerability does not enable code execution based on Apple's disclosure. The primary outcome is unexpected app termination when a target opens or processes the malicious file.

Exploitation requires user interaction, typically opening or previewing the crafted file. No public proof-of-concept or exploit code is currently available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of input size during file parsing, which corresponds to [CWE-120]. Apple resolved the issue by introducing improved memory handling in the affected component in macOS Sequoia 15.2. The advisory does not disclose the specific parser or file format involved.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, meaning the malicious file can be delivered remotely through email attachments, web downloads, messaging platforms, or shared file systems. The user must open or process the file for the vulnerability to trigger. Successful exploitation crashes the application handling the file but does not, based on the advisory, provide the attacker with code execution or data access.

Refer to the Apple Support Article for vendor guidance on the affected component.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54568

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected termination of macOS applications after opening files received from external sources
Repeated crash reports in ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ referencing the same parsing component
Delivery of unsolicited files through email, chat, or web downloads that trigger application crashes on open

Detection Strategies

Monitor macOS crash logs for abnormal termination patterns linked to file parsing operations
Correlate file delivery events with subsequent application crash telemetry on the same endpoint
Track macOS build versions across the fleet to identify hosts running versions earlier than Sequoia 15.2

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest macOS unified logs and crash reports into a centralized analytics pipeline for pattern analysis
Alert on high-volume delivery of the same file hash across multiple endpoints followed by process crashes
Track patch compliance for macOS Sequoia 15.2 through endpoint management tooling

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54568

Immediate Actions Required

Update all Apple macOS systems to macOS Sequoia 15.2 or later using Software Update
Inventory endpoints still running pre-15.2 macOS builds and prioritize their remediation
Advise users to avoid opening unsolicited files from untrusted senders until systems are patched

Patch Information

Apple fixed CVE-2024-54568 in macOS Sequoia 15.2 through improved memory handling. Administrators should deploy the update through Apple Software Update, Mobile Device Management (MDM), or Apple Business Manager. Full details are available in the Apple Support Article.

Workarounds

Restrict processing of files from untrusted sources until the macOS Sequoia 15.2 update is applied
Enforce email and web gateway policies that quarantine or sandbox unusual file types before delivery
Educate users to report unexpected application crashes tied to opening received files