CVE-2024-44291: Apple macOS · A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges
Affects Apple macOSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 15.2 : patch Apple macOS soon.
Data as of 25 Oct 2026, 19:02 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 22% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 15.2
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 11 Dec 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 update all affected macOS systems to the patched versions: macOS Sequoia 15.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, or macOS Ventura 13.7.2. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized or untrusted applications. 3. Educate users about the risks of running unknown or suspicious applications and the importance of verifying software sources. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting unusual privilege escalation behaviors. 5. Restrict local user permissions where possible to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. 6. Monitor system logs for signs of privilege escalation attempts or suspicious file handling activities. 7. For managed environments, enforce policies that limit software installation rights to administrators only. 8. Regularly audit macOS systems for compliance with security policies and patch status.
Description
A logic issue was addressed with improved file handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.2, macOS Sonoma 14.7.2, macOS Ventura 13.7.2. A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges.
References
- support.apple.com/en-us/121839 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/121840 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/121842 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Dec/9 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Dec/8 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Dec/7 (opens in a new tab)