Overview of the Issues

Users are experiencing a wave of networking issues after upgrading to macOS 15, codenamed ‘Sequoia’. Reports are pouring in from frustrated users who find their endpoint detection and response (EDR) and virtual private network (VPN) solutions unable to function smoothly, leading to major connectivity headaches, especially when using popular web browsers.

Specific Applications Affected

The problems seem to arise specifically with applications like CrowdStrike Falcon and ESET Endpoint Security. Users have also noted that some firewalls are causing packet corruption, resulting in SSL failures when browsing the internet or when utilizing command-line tools such as ‘wget’ and ‘curl’.

Apple's Official Launch vs. Users' Experience

Apple officially launched macOS 15 on September 16, heralding it as "the latest version of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system." However, this enthusiastic introduction has quickly turned into a reality check for many. In a confidential bulletin viewed by BleepingComputer, CrowdStrike has strongly advised its customers against upgrading, cautioning that the changes to the internal networking structures within macOS 15 could lead to significant incompatibility and usability issues.

Statements from Security Firms

Even SentinelOne Support has echoed these warnings, advising users to hold off on upgrading until a more stable solution is released. Multiple users reported variable connectivity success with different VPN products; while Mullvad VPN users are facing challenges, ProtonVPN appears to be functioning properly with the macOS 15 update.

Workarounds Suggested

In response to the growing issue, ESET has suggested a workaround for users dealing with connection losses: navigating to System Settings and removing ESET Network from the list, followed by a system restart. However, it is crucial to note this only applies to recent versions of their software, specifically ESET Endpoint Security version 8.1.6.0 and above.

Firewall Concerns

Security researcher Wacław Jacek has shared an interim solution on his blog, addressing problems linked to the built-in firewall. Notably, Will Dormann has pointed out that the macOS 15 firewall isn’t managing UDP traffic effectively, resulting in DNS failures. He suggests a workaround of “poking holes” in the firewall settings, though it's not ideal.

Ongoing Fixes

Adding to the mix, a spokesperson from Mullvad VPN has confirmed they are aware of the issues and are diligently working on a fix, stating, “Our macOS developers are aware that Apple services are not fully functioning with the latest macOS 15 release. They are looking into this as we speak.

Advice for Users

For those who rely on EDR security products, VPNs, or have stringent firewall configurations, it's wise to consider postponing the upgrade to macOS 15 until these critical issues are ironed out. As users continue to grapple with these networking nightmares, the need for effective communication from Apple regarding solutions becomes more pressing.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for updates, and keep your systems secure!