Protected filesystem modification via PackageKit permissions flaw
Published Jul 29, 2024 · Updated Apr 2, 2026
A permissions flaw in PackageKit in Apple macOS before 14.4 allows local users to modify protected parts of the file system. PackageKit retained vulnerable code and performed insufficient permission checks, but Apple has not disclosed the affected operation or input. Execution of an app on the Mac is required; the demonstrated consequence is protected-file-system modification, with no published availability impact.
Summary
What happened
A permissions flaw in PackageKit in Apple macOS before 14.4 allows local users to modify protected parts of the file system. PackageKit retained vulnerable code and performed insufficient permission checks, but Apple has not disclosed the affected operation or input. Execution of an app on the Mac is required; the demonstrated consequence is protected-file-system modification, with no published availability impact.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-27888
- Published
- Jul 29, 2024
- Updated
- Apr 2, 2026
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- macOS
- Classifications
- CWE-281
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 29, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 2, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <14.4
- Affected versionversion=14.0 <14.4
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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