· 26 CVEs

tvOS 17.4 Security Update

tvOS 17.4 fixes 26 vulnerabilities, and Apple says 2 may have been exploited. Every fix, in Apple's words, with what it could have allowed.

Actively exploited — update now

What tvOS 17.4 Fixes

tvOS 17.4, released March 7, 2024, fixes 26 vulnerabilities in 16 parts of the system, according to Apple's security advisory.

Apple says 2 of these flaws — CVE-2024-23225, CVE-2024-23296 — may already have been exploited. That makes tvOS 17.4 an update to install now rather than at the weekend.

It has since been superseded: the newest security release for tvOS 17 is tvOS 17.6, from July 29, 2024, which includes these fixes.

What an attacker could doFixes
Run code5
Elevated privileges or sandbox escape6
Private data or protections bypassed7
Spoofing1
Crash or denial of service2
Other5

Grouped by us from the impact Apple gives for each fix; the impact lines below are Apple's own.

Exploited Before the Fix

Apple flags a fix as possibly exploited when it has a credible report that the flaw was used against real people before the patch. These are the reason to update today.

  • Kernel Exploited

    An attacker with arbitrary kernel read and write capability may be able to bypass kernel memory protections. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited.

    A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved validation.

    CVE-2024-23225

  • RTKit Exploited

    An attacker with arbitrary kernel read and write capability may be able to bypass kernel memory protections. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited.

    A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved validation.

    CVE-2024-23296

Which Devices Get tvOS 17.4

Apple lists tvOS 17.4 for: Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K (all models).

How to Install tvOS 17.4

On the Apple TV, open Settings → System → Software Updates.

Security fixes are cumulative: any later release for the same version includes these as well, so if you are already past tvOS 17.4 there is nothing to do.

Every Fix in tvOS 17.4

The rest of Apple's advisory — every fix not already listed above, the most serious kinds first. Each entry is the part of the system affected, Apple's description of the impact and the fix, and the CVE ID.

  • Image Processing

    An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

    The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

    CVE-2024-23270

  • ImageIO

    Processing an image may lead to arbitrary code execution

    A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

    CVE-2024-23286

  • libxpc

    An app may be able to execute arbitrary code out of its sandbox or with certain elevated privileges

    The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

    CVE-2024-0258

  • WebKit

    Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

    The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

    CVE-2024-23226 CVE-2024-27859

  • AppleMobileFileIntegrity

    An app may be able to elevate privileges

    This issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code.

    CVE-2024-23288

  • Kernel

    An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or write kernel memory

    A memory corruption vulnerability was addressed with improved locking.

    CVE-2024-23265

  • libxpc

    An app may be able to break out of its sandbox

    The issue was addressed with improved checks.

    CVE-2024-23278

  • UIKit

    An app may be able to break out of its sandbox

    This issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code.

    CVE-2024-23246

  • Accessibility

    A malicious app may be able to observe user data in log entries related to accessibility notifications

    A privacy issue was addressed with improved private data redaction for log entries.

    CVE-2024-23291

  • Kernel

    An app may be able to access user-sensitive data

    A race condition was addressed with additional validation.

    CVE-2024-23235

  • MediaRemote

    A malicious application may be able to access private information

    The issue was addressed with improved checks.

    CVE-2024-23297

  • Sandbox

    An app may be able to leak sensitive user information

    A race condition was addressed with improved state handling.

    CVE-2024-23239

  • Sandbox

    An app may be able to access user-sensitive data

    A logic issue was addressed with improved restrictions.

    CVE-2024-23290

  • Siri

    An attacker with physical access may be able to use Siri to access sensitive user data

    This issue was addressed through improved state management.

    CVE-2024-23293

  • Spotlight

    An app may be able to leak sensitive user information

    This issue was addressed through improved state management.

    CVE-2024-23241

  • WebKit

    A malicious website may exfiltrate audio data cross-origin

    The issue was addressed with improved UI handling.

    CVE-2024-23254

  • file

    Processing a file may lead to a denial-of-service or potentially disclose memory contents

    This issue was addressed with improved checks.

    CVE-2022-48554

  • WebKit

    Processing web content may lead to a denial-of-service

    The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

    CVE-2024-54658

  • CoreBluetooth - LE

    An app may be able to access Bluetooth-connected microphones without user permission

    An access issue was addressed with improved access restrictions.

    CVE-2024-23250

  • Metal

    An application may be able to read restricted memory

    A validation issue was addressed with improved input sanitization.

    CVE-2024-23264

  • WebKit

    Processing maliciously crafted web content may prevent Content Security Policy from being enforced

    A logic issue was addressed with improved validation.

    CVE-2024-23263

  • WebKit

    A maliciously crafted webpage may be able to fingerprint the user

    An injection issue was addressed with improved validation.

    CVE-2024-23280

  • WebKit

    Processing maliciously crafted web content may prevent Content Security Policy from being enforced

    A logic issue was addressed with improved state management.

    CVE-2024-23284

tvOS 17 Security Release History

tvOS 17.4 in context: the security releases Apple has published for tvOS 17, newest first, with the number of fixes each carried.

ReleaseReleasedFixes
tvOS 17.6July 29, 202422
tvOS 17.5May 13, 202428
tvOS 17.4March 7, 202426 Exploited
tvOS 17.3January 22, 202412 Exploited

The Same Fixes Elsewhere

Apple ships most fixes to every platform that shares the code, and to older versions still under support. These releases close at least one of the same CVEs:

Frequently Asked Questions

What does tvOS 17.4 fix?

26 security vulnerabilities in 16 parts of the system, from Apple's advisory of March 7, 2024. 5 could have let an attacker run code.

Was anything fixed in tvOS 17.4 exploited?

Yes. Apple says CVE-2024-23225, CVE-2024-23296 may have been exploited before the fix. Install it now.

Which devices can install tvOS 17.4?

Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K (all models).

Is tvOS 17.4 the latest security update?

No. tvOS 17.6, from July 29, 2024, is newer and includes these fixes.

Source: About the security content of tvOS 17.4, Apple. Rechecked automatically while Apple is still adding entries.

Every Apple security update