Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A local app on vulnerable Apple devices may be able to run code with kernel privileges. Kernel access can bypass normal operating system protections and create broad device risk. Apple says the issue was fixed with improved memory handling in iOS/iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma 14, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority Apple fleet patching issue, especially for managed mobile and Mac endpoints. The business risk is privilege escalation from a local app into kernel-level control, but public sources here do not establish active exploitation.
Technical view
CVE-2023-40396 is rated CVSS 7.8 with local access, low attack complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The public description says an app may execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple’s disclosed root-cause detail is limited to improved memory handling; affected prior versions are not specified.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, or tvOS systems not updated to the named fixed releases. The source bundle does not identify exact vulnerable version ranges, device models, or configuration-specific exposure.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The attack context is local app execution with low privileges, which makes malicious or compromised apps the main concern based on the CVSS vector.
Researcher notes
The available record is sparse: Apple describes arbitrary kernel privilege code execution and improved memory handling, but does not provide affected version ranges or detailed vulnerability mechanics. The listed CWE-77 should be handled cautiously because the vendor text does not describe command injection.
Mitigation direction
- Update iOS and iPadOS devices to version 17 where supported.
- Update Macs to macOS Sonoma 14 where supported.
- Update Apple Watch and Apple TV to watchOS 10 and tvOS 17.
- Review Apple guidance for unsupported devices or unavailable upgrade paths.
- Restrict untrusted app installation on unmanaged or high-risk devices.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Apple devices by OS family and version.
- Confirm devices meet or exceed the Apple fixed releases listed for this CVE.
- Check MDM compliance reports for stale iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS versions.
- Review endpoint logs for unexpected app installation on sensitive devices.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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-77: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. 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.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2023-40396 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213938CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213936CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213940CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213937CVE reference
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.