Apple iOS and iPadOS: An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6, macOS Ventura 13.5. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | iOS and iPadOS | before 16.6 | 16.6 | Patch available | CNA |
| Apple | macOS | before 13.5 | 13.5 | Patch available | CNA |
Remediation
- Fix · CNA iOS and iPadOS (Apple) Fixed in 16.6
- Fix · CNA macOS (Apple) Fixed in 13.5
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
Apple macOS 13.5
26 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 6 MEDIUM, 20 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2023-19972 Apple Safari: Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code executionPriority MEDIUM 43
- TI-2023-19983 Apple Safari: Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code executionPriority MEDIUM 41
- TI-2023-19975 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A remote user may be able to cause a denial-of-servicePriority MEDIUM 41
- Release ·
Apple iOS and iPadOS 16.6
16 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 4 MEDIUM, 12 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2023-19972 Apple Safari: Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code executionPriority MEDIUM 43
- TI-2023-19983 Apple Safari: Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code executionPriority MEDIUM 41
- TI-2023-19975 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A remote user may be able to cause a denial-of-servicePriority MEDIUM 41
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-38424
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-3v8c-v6fc-v3g6
References
More Apple Ipados vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-28008 Out-of-bounds write in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2025-22441 Apple iOS and iPadOS: An attacker with arbitrary read and write capability may be able to… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2025-22440 Memory corruption in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2025-17951 Out-of-bounds write in Apple Safari KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2025-17847 Use after free in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2022-06854 Out-of-bounds write in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
Sources
- CVE-2023-38424 · CVE Program
- CVE-2023-38424 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-3v8c-v6fc-v3g6 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences