CVE-2024-40779 is a vulnerability identified in Apple Safari that stems from an out-of-bounds read condition caused by improper bounds checking during the processing of certain web content. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125, which relates to out-of-bounds read errors that can lead to unexpected behavior or crashes. The issue affects a broad range of Apple operating systems and devices, including iOS 16.7.9 and later, iPadOS 16.7.9 and later, Safari 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, watchOS 10.6, tvOS 17.6, and visionOS 1.3. When a user visits a maliciously crafted web page, the Safari browser may attempt to read memory outside of the intended bounds, causing the browser process to crash unexpectedly. While this does not lead to data leakage or code execution, it results in a denial-of-service condition by disrupting browser availability. The vulnerability requires user interaction, specifically visiting a malicious web page, and does not require elevated privileges, making it accessible to local attackers through social engineering or malicious links. Apple has addressed this vulnerability by improving bounds checking in the affected components, and patches have been released in the aforementioned OS and Safari versions. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, but the medium CVSS score of 5.5 reflects the moderate impact and ease of triggering the crash. Organizations relying on Apple devices should be aware of this vulnerability as it can disrupt user productivity and potentially be used as part of a broader attack strategy to cause service interruptions.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-40779 is a denial-of-service condition affecting Safari browser availability. This can disrupt business operations, especially in environments where Safari is the default or preferred browser for accessing web-based applications and services. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and telecommunications that rely heavily on Apple devices may experience operational interruptions if users encounter malicious web content. While the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, repeated crashes could lead to user frustration, loss of productivity, and potential exploitation as part of multi-stage attacks. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face increased risk if employees use unpatched Apple devices to access corporate resources. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity rating and ease of triggering the crash via user interaction necessitate prompt patching to maintain service continuity and user trust.

1. Apply the latest Apple security updates immediately, specifically iOS 16.7.9, iPadOS 16.7.9, Safari 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, and corresponding updates for watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. 2. Enforce strict patch management policies for all Apple devices within the organization to ensure timely deployment of security fixes. 3. Implement web content filtering and URL reputation services to block access to known malicious or suspicious websites that could host crafted content exploiting this vulnerability. 4. Educate users about the risks of clicking on unknown or untrusted links, emphasizing cautious browsing behavior to reduce the likelihood of encountering malicious web content. 5. Monitor browser crash logs and endpoint telemetry for unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts or targeted denial-of-service attacks. 6. Consider deploying endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting abnormal browser behavior or crashes related to memory errors. 7. For high-security environments, restrict the use of Safari to trusted internal sites or use alternative browsers with different rendering engines until patches are fully deployed. 8. Review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving browser denial-of-service conditions and ensure rapid remediation capabilities.