Microsoft researchers have recently identified a significant security vulnerability in macOS that could allow attackers to bypass System Integrity Protection (SIP) and install malicious kernel drivers. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2024-44243, was discovered in the Storage Kit daemon, which is responsible for handling disk state-keeping in macOS. Exploiting this vulnerability would enable attackers with root privileges to circumvent the system’s built-in protection mechanisms, allowing them to install persistent malware, such as rootkits, and potentially gain access to sensitive data.
System Integrity Protection, or SIP, is a critical security feature in macOS designed to protect the operating system’s core components by preventing unauthorized modifications. SIP restricts the root user account’s ability to alter specific folders and files, allowing only Apple-signed processes or those with special entitlements to make changes. Disabling SIP typically requires physical access to a compromised device, making it a robust defense against certain types of attacks. However, this new vulnerability poses a risk by bypassing SIP protections without the need for physical access, making it more accessible to attackers.
The vulnerability was discovered by Microsoft’s security research team:
The vulnerability was discovered by Microsoft’s security research team, who have previously uncovered several other SIP-related flaws in macOS over the years. Notably, this new discovery follows previous SIP bypass vulnerabilities, including ‘Shrootless’ (CVE-2021-30892) and ‘Migraine’ (CVE-2023-32369). These prior vulnerabilities had allowed attackers to perform arbitrary operations on compromised Macs, install rootkits, and bypass security measures such as Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC). The new flaw, however, appears to offer an even more direct way of exploiting SIP to install malware without triggering typical security checks.
The implications of this discovery are significant, as bypassing SIP compromises the entire security framework of the macOS operating system. As Microsoft experts pointed out, such vulnerabilities can lead to severe consequences, including the installation of undeletable malware and the circumvention of privacy protections that are integral to macOS security. The discovery serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats and the importance of continuous monitoring and patching to defend against new and sophisticated exploits. Apple has since addressed this vulnerability with security updates in macOS Sequoia 15.2, released in December 2024, which are essential to mitigating the risks posed by this flaw.
