CVE-2024-27796 is a vulnerability in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems that permits an attacker to elevate privileges on affected devices. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-1325, indicating a weakness related to improper privilege management or enforcement. The issue arises from insufficient validation or enforcement of security checks, which Apple has rectified in iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, and macOS Sonoma 14.5. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 reflects a high-severity rating, with an attack vector requiring local access (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data leakage, or denial of service. Although no public exploits have been reported, the vulnerability’s characteristics suggest that an attacker with local access—such as through a malicious app, compromised device, or physical access—could leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges and bypass security restrictions. This could facilitate further attacks, including installation of persistent malware or unauthorized data access. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to the fixed releases, so all devices running earlier versions are potentially vulnerable. The fix involves improved security checks to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-27796 is significant, especially for those relying on Apple mobile devices for sensitive communications, operations, or data storage. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain root or system-level privileges, bypassing sandboxing and other security mechanisms. This could lead to unauthorized access to confidential corporate data, disruption of business operations, or deployment of advanced persistent threats. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and the strategic importance of their operations. Additionally, the vulnerability’s local attack vector means that insider threats or attackers who gain physical or limited remote access could escalate privileges and compromise devices. The lack of required user interaction increases the risk of stealthy exploitation. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in Europe, unpatched devices represent a substantial attack surface. The vulnerability also poses risks to privacy and regulatory compliance under frameworks like GDPR, as unauthorized data access could lead to data breaches and legal consequences.

European organizations should implement a targeted mitigation strategy beyond generic patching advice: 1) Prioritize immediate deployment of iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, and macOS Sonoma 14.5 updates across all managed Apple devices. 2) Enforce strict device management policies using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to ensure compliance and rapid patch rollout. 3) Restrict local access to devices by enforcing strong physical security controls and limiting access to trusted personnel only. 4) Monitor device logs and behavior for signs of privilege escalation attempts or anomalous activity indicative of exploitation. 5) Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications or connecting to insecure networks that could facilitate local compromise. 6) Implement network segmentation to isolate critical systems and reduce the impact of compromised devices. 7) Regularly audit device configurations and installed applications to detect unauthorized changes or suspicious software. 8) Coordinate with Apple support and threat intelligence sources to stay informed about any emerging exploits or additional patches. These steps will help reduce the attack surface and limit the potential damage from exploitation.