Apple IOSurfaceRoot reference count leak leading to kernel code execution
CVE-2024-27828 is a high-severity memory handling vulnerability in Apple IOSurface, specifically IOSurfaceRoot. The issue is described as residing in IOSurfaceRootUserClient::s_create_shared_event, which delegates to create_shared_event to create an IOSurfaceSharedEvent object identified by a user-supplied string name. Repeated calls with manipulated user input can trigger a reference count leak on the IOSurfaceRoot object, causing a retain without a corresponding release. The resulting reference count corruption can lead to an invalid state detected in OSObject::taggedRelease, causing a kernel panic, and Apple states the flaw may also allow an app to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple fixed the issue through improved memory handling in iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5, tvOS 17.5, visionOS 1.2, and watchOS 10.5.
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Apple Vision Pro kernel-privilege arbitrary code execution issue addressed via improved memory handling.
A high-severity Apple IOSurfaceRoot memory handling/reference count leak vulnerability that can be triggered by a local app to cause kernel panic and achieve arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges.
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Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
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