Apple’s macOS Sequoia Update Breaks Security Tools

September 21, 2024

3 minute read

Apple’s macOS Sequoia update is causing major compatibility issues with popular security tools. Reportedly, users are facing disruptions and frustration as vendors scramble to find solutions. Learn about the affected software, potential workarounds, and the latest updates on this ongoing issue.

Apple’s latest macOS update, macOS Sequoia (version 15), is reportedly causing issues with security tools from major providers like CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, ESET, and Microsoft. The update appears incompatible with several popular security tools, rendering them inoperable. The issue, which affects macOS users and enterprises, has caused frustration among those working with macOS-focused security tools.

For your information, Apple officially launched its AI-focused macOS Sequoia on Monday. It is a new operating system, first revealed at WWDC 2024, offering exclusive features like Apple Intelligence, which uses Apple silicon to create language, images, and actions across apps, leveraging users’ personal context.

However, the update has raised concerns for certain security-related products and applications as several security researchers and users on social media, Reddit, and a Mac-focused Slack channel reported issues with these security tools after installing Sequoia.

On Mastodon, security researcher Will Dormann reported firewall-related and DNS issues in macOS Sequoia, noting that blocking incoming connections within the macOS Sequoia firewall can also block replies to DNS requests, causing problems.

Dormann also noted a related issue affecting Chrome and Chromium-based browsers on macOS Sequoia, where blocking incoming connections for Google Chrome in the macOS firewall causes large downloads to stall.

Meanwhile, Apple has not yet addressed the concerns regarding Sequoia’s compatibility with security software such as ESET Endpoint Security and CrodStrike Falcon, and the full scope of the compatibility issues with Sequoia remains unclear.

Most companies have advised users not to update the OS until the issue is resolved, as they are unable to support macOS Sequoia. CrowdStrike confirmed the issue and announced a delay in supporting Sequoia.

The company is waiting for Apple to release a fix before updating their software. Similarly, ESET acknowledged network connection problems after the update but later clarified that their products are compatible with Sequoia.

While SentinelOne initially advised users against upgrading to Sequoia, they later clarified that full support was available. However, some users still reported problems with other functionalities like firewalls and DNS configurations.

A potential workaround shared by security researcher Wacław Jacek on his blog involves using command-line tools to adjust firewall settings for specific applications. According to Jacek, to modify firewall settings, use the CLI tool /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw.

This will allow your browser to access the internet again, but other software may still not function. To disable the entire firewall, open the terminal app, find the path to your web browser, run ls -l, and add your browser to the firewall using /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw.

Until the situation is resolved, please proceed with caution when considering the Sequoia update, especially if you rely heavily on third-party security software.

Experts Comments

Mr. Mayuresh Dani, Manager, Security Research, at Qualys Threat Research Unit, shared his concern over the situation with Hackread.com stating, “With the release of new operating systems, all security vendors must test and qualify their releases. It is a good thing that security vendors have been proactive in this situation and have already sent out steps to take in case their systems are facing issues with the latest Mac update.”

Mayuresh highlighted that “From the looks of it, the networking stack – or the macOS Sequoia firewall to be specific – has changed because the security tools that use it to provide security are not able to do so. Not just security tools, VPNs are also having a difficult time getting a DNS resolution.”

He also suggested the following to the security teams responsible for securing Macs:

Avoid updating to macOS Sequoia unless their security vendor has officially certified it for use.
Turn off auto-updates to major OS releases before internal certification.
Internally certify new operating system releases by installing Dev, and Beta builds of operating systems with certified software before organization-wide deployments.

Nevertheless, the importance of comprehensive testing before deploying major updates in production environments should not be ignored. It also highlights the need for organizations to have proper backup plans and alternative security measures in place. Developing a multi-layered security approach that doesn’t rely solely on a single tool or vendor can enhance overall stability.