Critical macOS TCP Networking Bug Causes System Crashes After 49 Days of Uptime
By
RyanZhuuuu
Summary
Researchers discovered a critical bug in macOS TCP networking that causes system instability after exactly 49 days of uptime. The issue stems from a TCP timer overflow in the kernel's networking stack, where a 32-bit timer variable overflows after 49.7 days, leading to kernel panics and system crashes. The bug affects all modern macOS versions and requires a system reboot before reaching the 49-day mark to prevent crashes. The discovery was made by the Photon team while developing conversational AI agents, and they've reported it to Apple.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledThe bug is a TCP timer overflow in the kernel's networking stack. A 32-bit timer variable overflows after 49.7 days, causing kernel panics and system crashes.
All modern macOS versions are affected. The only workaround is to reboot your Mac before hitting the 49-day uptime mark.
We discovered this bug while building Photon, our conversational AI agent platform that runs on iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram, and other messaging apps.
The bug is in the TCP stack's timer management code. When the timer overflows, it causes undefined behavior that leads to kernel panics.
We've reported the bug to Apple and are working with them to get it fixed. In the meantime, we recommend all macOS users reboot their systems regularly.
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