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Summary
A vulnerability exists in the Universal Disk Format (UDF) for MacOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.5. This vulnerability, classified as CVE-2024-27842, was discovered by CertiK SkyFall. According to Apple, an attacker may be able to make an app execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. Security researcher Wang Tielei has released Proof of Concept (PoC) exploit code demonstrating the existence of this vulnerability.
Impact Assessment
The vulnerability allows for privilege escalation to kernel level, which is the highest possible privilege. Exploitation of this vulnerability can grant an attacker significant control over the target system, enabling actions such as creating backdoors, installing malware, performing lateral movement, and exfiltrating data. The availability of PoC exploit code increases the likelihood of exploitation, making it critical to address this vulnerability promptly.
Affected Software
MacOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.5
Remediation
A patch was released on May 15th for MacOS Sonoma 14.5. Upgrading to this version will remediate the vulnerability. Apple provides resources on how to upgrade your MacOS Sonoma version here. The process may differ for managed instances depending on the tools your organization uses to provision upgrades.
What It Means for You
If you or your organization uses Apple products with MacOS Sonoma, ensure that all devices are upgraded to MacOS Sonoma 14.5. Follow the instructions provided by Apple for the upgrade process. For managed instances, consult your patching team to confirm if the latest update has been deployed.
Business Implications
Exploitation of this vulnerability allows code execution with kernel-level privileges. This can lead to significant security breaches, including the creation of backdoors, installation of malware, lateral movement within networks, and data exfiltration. Such breaches can result in data loss, reputational damage, and financial loss.
Recommendations
- Patch: Ensure all devices are updated to MacOS Sonoma 14.5. For organizations, test and release this patch for production environments. The release of PoC exploit code underscores the urgency of this update.
- Prioritize Operating System Patches: Operating system patches should be a high priority as they address multiple vulnerabilities and provide critical fixes. Regularly updating your OS is essential to maintaining a secure environment.
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