Apple Addresses Network Traffic Alteration Vulnerability in macOS Sequoia 15.2, iOS 18.2, and iPadOS 18.2

What is CVE-2024-54492?

CVE-2024-54492 is a vulnerability found in Apple's operating systems, specifically impacting macOS Sequoia 15.2, iOS 18.2, and iPadOS 18.2. This issue arises due to the potential alteration of network traffic by an attacker positioned within a privileged network. Such a vulnerability can pose significant risks to organizations by allowing malicious actors to manipulate or intercept sensitive information transmitted across the network, undermining the security and integrity of data communications critical for business operations.

Technical Details

This vulnerability is specifically tied to the way network traffic is handled within the affected Apple operating systems. The issue stems from the lack of adequate protection for the data being transmitted over the network, which enables an attacker with network access to modify messages sent to and from devices. Apple has addressed this problem by implementing the use of HTTPS for data transmission, a protocol that encrypts network traffic to enhance security and prevent unauthorized alterations.

Impact of the Vulnerability

1. Data Integrity Compromise: The vulnerability allows unauthorized alteration of data in transit, potentially enabling attackers to inject malicious content or misinformation, which could lead to erroneous transactions or loss of data authenticity.

2. Increased Risk of Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: By exploiting this vulnerability, attackers could successfully position themselves between users and services, facilitating a range of attacks that can include data interception, session hijacking, and impersonation of legitimate communications, thereby compromising user privacy and security.

3. Loss of User Trust: Organizations affected by this vulnerability may face reputational damage as users become aware of potential risks to their data security. The long-term impact could include reduced customer confidence and trust in the organization's ability to protect sensitive information.

References