Apple Shortcuts Vulnerability (CVE-2024-23204): Technical Analysis and Mitigation

A patched vulnerability within Apple’s Shortcuts automation framework presents a substantial risk to macOS and iOS devices. Identified as CVE-2024-23204, this flaw leaves affected systems susceptible to unauthorized data exfiltration due to a potential bypass of Apple’s Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) framework.

Before the patch, malicious actors could create specially crafted Shortcuts files capable of undermining TCC restrictions. This security framework is intended to enforce explicit user consent before applications access sensitive data or system functionalities. TCC bypass allows malicious shortcuts to operate without triggering the usual permission prompts.

Bitdefender researchers successfully devised proof-of-concept attacks demonstrating the covert extraction of data like device details, location information, and potentially user credentials. This exfiltrated data could be remotely retrieved by attackers. The widespread use of shortcuts for automation and efficiency significantly increases the potential attack surface.

The CVE-2024-23204 vulnerability existed in macOS and iOS devices running versions before macOS Sonoma 14.3, iOS 17.3, and iPadOS 17.3. The assigned score of 7.5 out of 10 reflects the severity of the vulnerability, emphasizing heightened risk due to the potential for remote exploitation without prior privilege escalation.

This Shortcuts vulnerability underscores the increasing sophistication of threat actors targeting macOS. This flaw also illustrates the potential for seemingly innocuous built-in tools to be exploited if security controls and user awareness are inadequate.

Apple has addressed this vulnerability with a timely patch. Installation of the latest security updates is considered mission-critical to protect all macOS and iOS devices. Limit the acquisition of shortcuts to established repositories like Apple’s official library. Third-party shortcuts, particularly from unknown or untrusted sources, should be considered high-risk.

Security teams must continuously adapt to evolving macOS-targeted malware trends. Incorporation of indicators of compromise (IOCs) related to known exploits into existing security monitoring tools is essential for early detection and mitigation.