CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-54508NVD status: Modified

Safari: Out-of-bounds Read

CVE-2024-54508 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Safari from Apple, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 18.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating Safari to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.97% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 62% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Safari to 18.2 or a later version.
  2. Update iOS and iPadOS to 18.2 or a later version.
  3. Update iPadOS to 17.7.6 or a later version.
  4. Read the advisory on support.apple.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  5. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
AppleSafaribefore 18.218.2
AppleiOS and iPadOSbefore 18.218.2
AppleiPadOSbefore 17.7.617.7.6
ApplemacOSbefore 15.215.2
AppletvOSbefore 18.218.2
ApplevisionOSbefore 2.22.2
ApplewatchOSbefore 11.211.2
AppleIphone OSbefore 18.218.2

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.5HighNVD
CVSS 3.16.5MediumCISA (ADP)

Official description

The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in Safari 18.2, iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.2, tvOS 18.2, visionOS 2.2, watchOS 11.2. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read

The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.

More Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities (CWE-125)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Safari

All Safari vulnerabilities

Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities

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