CVE-2024-40781: Apple macOS · A local attacker may be able to elevate their privileges
Affects Apple macOSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.4 High · fixed in 12.7.6 : patch Apple macOS soon.
Data as of 25 Oct 2026, 19:02 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 14% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 12.7.6
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 29 Jul 2024
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-25.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Apple macOS | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
1. Immediately apply the security updates released by Apple: macOS Monterey 12.7.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, and macOS Ventura 13.6.8 or later. 2. Restrict local access to macOS systems by enforcing strict physical security and limiting user accounts with local login privileges. 3. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring and alerting on suspicious privilege escalation behaviors. 4. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure the principle of least privilege is enforced. 5. Use system integrity protection features and enable full disk encryption to reduce the impact of potential compromises. 6. Educate users about the risks of local access and ensure that remote access solutions are secured and monitored. 7. Maintain up-to-date backups to recover from potential compromise scenarios. 8. Monitor security advisories from Apple and threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploit activity related to this vulnerability.
Description
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.7.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, macOS Ventura 13.6.8. A local attacker may be able to elevate their privileges.
References
- support.apple.com/en-us/120910 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/120911 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/120912 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT214120 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT214119 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT214118 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/20 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/18 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/19 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT214120 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT214119 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT214118 (opens in a new tab)