CVE-2024-27885: An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system in Apple macOS
CVE-2024-27885 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS affecting the PackageKit component, where an app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system due to insufficient validation of symbolic links. This issue has been addressed by Apple through improved validation of symlinks. The vulnerability is fixed in macOS Monterey 12. 7. 5, macOS Ventura 13. 6. 7, and macOS Sonoma 14. 5. The CVSS score is 6. 3 (medium severity), indicating a moderate risk where an unprivileged app could elevate privileges by modifying protected filesystem areas.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CVE-2024-27885) in macOS PackageKit allows an application to potentially modify protected parts of the file system by exploiting insufficient validation of symbolic links. Apple fixed this issue by improving symlink validation in macOS Monterey 12.7.5, Ventura 13.6.7, and Sonoma 14.5. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N) indicates that the attack requires local access with low complexity, no privileges, and user interaction, but can lead to a scope change and high integrity impact without affecting confidentiality or availability.
Potential Impact
An unprivileged app with local access and user interaction could exploit this vulnerability to modify protected parts of the file system, potentially leading to privilege escalation. This could allow the app to perform unauthorized modifications that compromise system integrity. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of this advisory.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official patches fixing this vulnerability in macOS Monterey 12.7.5, macOS Ventura 13.6.7, and macOS Sonoma 14.5. Users and administrators should apply these updates promptly to remediate the issue. Since this is not a cloud service, remediation depends on applying these vendor-provided updates. Patch status is confirmed as fixed in these versions per the Apple security advisories.
CVE-2024-27885: An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system in Apple macOS
Description
CVE-2024-27885 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS affecting the PackageKit component, where an app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system due to insufficient validation of symbolic links. This issue has been addressed by Apple through improved validation of symlinks. The vulnerability is fixed in macOS Monterey 12. 7. 5, macOS Ventura 13. 6. 7, and macOS Sonoma 14. 5. The CVSS score is 6. 3 (medium severity), indicating a moderate risk where an unprivileged app could elevate privileges by modifying protected filesystem areas.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CVE-2024-27885) in macOS PackageKit allows an application to potentially modify protected parts of the file system by exploiting insufficient validation of symbolic links. Apple fixed this issue by improving symlink validation in macOS Monterey 12.7.5, Ventura 13.6.7, and Sonoma 14.5. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N) indicates that the attack requires local access with low complexity, no privileges, and user interaction, but can lead to a scope change and high integrity impact without affecting confidentiality or availability.
Potential Impact
An unprivileged app with local access and user interaction could exploit this vulnerability to modify protected parts of the file system, potentially leading to privilege escalation. This could allow the app to perform unauthorized modifications that compromise system integrity. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of this advisory.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official patches fixing this vulnerability in macOS Monterey 12.7.5, macOS Ventura 13.6.7, and macOS Sonoma 14.5. Users and administrators should apply these updates promptly to remediate the issue. Since this is not a cloud service, remediation depends on applying these vendor-provided updates. Patch status is confirmed as fixed in these versions per the Apple security advisories.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apple
- Date Reserved
- 2024-02-26T15:32:28.544Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69ceb827e6bfc5ba1df6e8f9
Added to database: 4/2/2026, 6:40:39 PM
Last enriched: 4/9/2026, 11:22:11 PM
Last updated: 5/20/2026, 7:08:49 PM
Views: 14
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