CVE-2024-27823 is a vulnerability identified in Apple iOS and iPadOS stemming from a race condition related to inadequate locking in the network stack. This flaw allows an attacker positioned with privileged network access—such as on the same Wi-Fi network or controlling network routing equipment—to spoof network packets. Packet spoofing can undermine the integrity of network communications by injecting or altering data packets, potentially enabling man-in-the-middle attacks or bypassing network security controls. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple operating systems, including iOS 16.7.8, iPadOS 16.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.5, and others, with patches released to address the issue by improving locking mechanisms to prevent the race condition. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.9 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based but requires a high attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction. The impact is primarily on integrity, with no direct confidentiality or availability compromise. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating limited current exploitation but a potential risk if attackers develop techniques to leverage this vulnerability. The underlying CWE is 362 (Race Condition), highlighting the concurrency issue in the network processing code. Organizations using Apple devices should apply the relevant OS updates promptly to mitigate this risk.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the integrity of network communications on Apple devices, which are widely used across enterprises and government sectors. Attackers with privileged network access could spoof packets, potentially enabling man-in-the-middle attacks, data manipulation, or bypassing network-based security controls. This could lead to unauthorized command injection, session hijacking, or disruption of secure communications, particularly in environments relying on Apple devices for sensitive operations. While confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity compromise can undermine trust in network data and lead to secondary attacks or data corruption. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, where secure and reliable communications are essential, are particularly vulnerable. The requirement for privileged network position limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk in environments with shared or poorly segmented networks. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not preclude future exploitation, emphasizing the need for proactive patching and network security measures.

1. Apply the latest Apple OS updates immediately on all affected devices, including iOS 16.7.8, iPadOS 16.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.5, and subsequent versions as listed by Apple. 2. Enforce strict network segmentation and access controls to limit privileged network positions, reducing the likelihood of attackers gaining the necessary network vantage point. 3. Deploy network monitoring and intrusion detection systems capable of identifying anomalous packet spoofing or unusual network traffic patterns indicative of man-in-the-middle or spoofing attacks. 4. Use encrypted communication protocols (e.g., TLS) to protect data integrity and confidentiality, mitigating the impact of packet spoofing. 5. Educate network administrators and security teams about the vulnerability and signs of exploitation attempts. 6. Review and harden Wi-Fi network security settings, including strong authentication and isolation features, to prevent unauthorized network access. 7. Consider implementing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions on Apple devices to detect suspicious network activity. 8. Maintain an inventory of Apple devices and ensure compliance with patch management policies to avoid unpatched vulnerable systems.