CVE-2024-44131Public exploit

Sensitive data disclosure via symlink race

Published Sep 16, 2024 · Updated Apr 2, 2026

Improper symlink validation in Apple FileProvider before iOS and iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 allows local users to read sensitive data. Files.app and fileproviderd check a path for symlinks before a copy or move, but a malicious app can replace the penultimate directory with a symlink after the operation begins. The app must run locally and wait for a user-initiated file operation in its accessible directory; successful exploitation copies protected data without a TCC prompt.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.66%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper symlink validation in Apple FileProvider before iOS and iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 allows local users to read sensitive data. Files.app and fileproviderd check a path for symlinks before a copy or move, but a malicious app can replace the penultimate directory with a symlink after the operation begins. The app must run locally and wait for a user-initiated file operation in its accessible directory; successful exploitation copies protected data without a TCC prompt.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-44131
Published
Sep 16, 2024
Updated
Apr 2, 2026
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 16, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <18

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=0 <18
Apple · macOSversion=0 <15

Published CVSS scores

5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

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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