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CVE Record

CVE-2023-38610: A memory corruption issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code.

A memory corruption issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or write kernel memory.

HighCVSS 7.1Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Apple flaw lets a malicious or unsafe app crash the system or alter kernel memory, which can undermine device integrity. Apple says the issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14, iOS 17, and iPadOS 17.

Executive priority

Prioritize routine but timely Apple OS updates, especially for managed fleets and high-trust user groups. This is high severity because kernel memory integrity and availability are affected, but the source bundle does not show active exploitation.

Technical view

CVE-2023-38610 is a CWE-787 memory corruption issue in Apple macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.1, with local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and high integrity and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Apple devices running versions before macOS Sonoma 14, iOS 17, or iPadOS 17. The source bundle does not specify exact vulnerable version ranges or the affected component.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector indicates exploitation would be local and require user interaction, likely involving an app. The source bundle does not include exploit details, public exploit evidence, or CISA KEV confirmation of active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Apple describes remediation as removing vulnerable code, but the bundle does not identify the component, exact affected versions, or root cause beyond memory corruption. Treat validation as version-based unless additional vendor details are available.

Mitigation direction

  • Update eligible Macs to macOS Sonoma 14 or later.
  • Update eligible iPhones and iPads to iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 or later.
  • Use MDM to enforce minimum OS versions across managed devices.
  • Restrict installation of untrusted apps, especially on unmanaged or BYOD devices.
  • Monitor Apple security guidance for any superseding advisories.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory macOS, iOS, and iPadOS versions across managed assets.
  • Confirm devices report macOS Sonoma 14, iOS 17, or iPadOS 17 or later.
  • Check MDM compliance policies for minimum supported Apple OS versions.
  • Review endpoint management data for devices unable to upgrade.
  • Track exceptions where business-critical devices remain below fixed versions.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-787: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2023-38610 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.1 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.1CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H1.85.2Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.1High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-38610Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
AppleiOS and iPadOSunspecifiedListed
ApplemacOSunspecifiedListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-787

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-787 · source CWE mapping

Out-of-bounds Write

Out-of-bounds Write represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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