CVE-2024-44245 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s visionOS and several other Apple operating systems, including iPadOS, macOS Sequoia, iOS, and macOS Sonoma. The root cause is improper memory handling, specifically a buffer overflow or out-of-bounds write (CWE-787), which allows a maliciously crafted application to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory. This corruption can lead to denial of service by crashing the system or potentially enable privilege escalation if the corrupted kernel memory is exploited further. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.1, indicating high severity. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have local access to the device, but no privileges (PR:N) or authentication are required. User interaction is necessary (UI:R), meaning the victim must run or install the malicious app. The scope is unchanged (S:U), so the impact is limited to the vulnerable system. Apple has addressed this issue in recent updates: iPadOS 17.7.3, visionOS 2.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.2. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported yet. The vulnerability is critical for environments where Apple visionOS devices are used, especially as visionOS is a newer platform with growing adoption in AR/VR applications. The kernel memory corruption risk could be leveraged for further attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-44245 can be significant, particularly for those deploying Apple visionOS devices or running the affected Apple OS versions on desktops, laptops, or mobile devices. The ability for an unprivileged app to cause kernel memory corruption or system crashes can disrupt business operations through denial of service. In sensitive environments, such as government, finance, or critical infrastructure sectors, system instability or potential privilege escalation could lead to data breaches or loss of system integrity. Organizations relying on AR/VR technologies for training, design, or customer engagement may face operational interruptions. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability’s presence in widely used Apple platforms means that attackers could develop exploits once the vulnerability details are fully understood. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threats or risks from social engineering. Overall, the threat could affect confidentiality indirectly if attackers leverage kernel corruption for privilege escalation and data access.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation strategies: 1) Immediately apply the security patches released by Apple for visionOS 2.2, iPadOS 17.7.3 and 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, iOS 18.2, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.2 to ensure the vulnerability is remediated. 2) Restrict installation of apps to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and enforce strict app vetting policies to reduce the risk of malicious apps being installed. 3) Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous app behavior or kernel-level attacks on Apple devices. 4) Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of applying updates promptly. 5) Monitor systems for unusual crashes or instability that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6) For organizations using visionOS in AR/VR deployments, isolate these devices on segmented networks to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 7) Maintain an inventory of Apple devices and their OS versions to prioritize patch management. 8) Consider implementing application whitelisting and enhanced logging on Apple devices to detect and prevent unauthorized app execution.