CVE-2024-23278: An app may be able to break out of its sandbox in Apple iOS and iPadOS
CVE-2024-23278 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS that allows an app to break out of its sandbox and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The issue is related to the libxpc component and was addressed by Apple through improved memory handling. This vulnerability affects iOS versions prior to 16. 7. 6 and 17. 4, as well as corresponding iPadOS versions. Apple has released official patches in iOS 16. 7. 6, iPadOS 16. 7.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2024-23278 is a vulnerability in the libxpc component of Apple iOS and iPadOS that could allow a malicious app to break out of its sandbox and execute arbitrary code with certain elevated privileges. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple with improved memory handling to prevent such unauthorized privilege escalation. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.7.6, iPadOS 16.7.6, iOS 17.4, and iPadOS 17.4. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.7, indicating a high severity with attack vector local, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high impact on confidentiality and integrity but no impact on availability.
Potential Impact
An attacker who can run a malicious app on a vulnerable iOS or iPadOS device may be able to escape the app sandbox and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and compromise system integrity. The vulnerability does not impact availability and requires local access with no user interaction. There are no reports of exploitation in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official patches that fully address this vulnerability. Users and administrators should update affected devices to iOS 16.7.6, iPadOS 16.7.6, iOS 17.4, or iPadOS 17.4 as soon as possible to mitigate the risk. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying these updates.
CVE-2024-23278: An app may be able to break out of its sandbox in Apple iOS and iPadOS
Description
CVE-2024-23278 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS that allows an app to break out of its sandbox and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The issue is related to the libxpc component and was addressed by Apple through improved memory handling. This vulnerability affects iOS versions prior to 16. 7. 6 and 17. 4, as well as corresponding iPadOS versions. Apple has released official patches in iOS 16. 7. 6, iPadOS 16. 7.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2024-23278 is a vulnerability in the libxpc component of Apple iOS and iPadOS that could allow a malicious app to break out of its sandbox and execute arbitrary code with certain elevated privileges. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple with improved memory handling to prevent such unauthorized privilege escalation. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.7.6, iPadOS 16.7.6, iOS 17.4, and iPadOS 17.4. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.7, indicating a high severity with attack vector local, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high impact on confidentiality and integrity but no impact on availability.
Potential Impact
An attacker who can run a malicious app on a vulnerable iOS or iPadOS device may be able to escape the app sandbox and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and compromise system integrity. The vulnerability does not impact availability and requires local access with no user interaction. There are no reports of exploitation in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official patches that fully address this vulnerability. Users and administrators should update affected devices to iOS 16.7.6, iPadOS 16.7.6, iOS 17.4, or iPadOS 17.4 as soon as possible to mitigate the risk. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying these updates.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apple
- Date Reserved
- 2024-01-12T22:22:21.499Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 690a47556d939959c8022a87
Added to database: 11/4/2025, 6:35:01 PM
Last enriched: 4/9/2026, 11:07:34 PM
Last updated: 5/9/2026, 8:36:35 AM
Views: 43
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