Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-41991 is an Apple certificate validation flaw that could let a malicious app bypass signature validation. Apple fixed it in iOS 16.7, iPadOS 16.7, and macOS Ventura 13.6. Treat it as urgent for Apple fleets because Apple reported possible active exploitation against iOS versions before 16.7 and CISA lists it in KEV.
Executive priority
Prioritize rapid remediation for managed Apple devices, especially iPhones used by executives, administrators, and high-risk staff. The technical score is medium, but KEV status and reported active exploitation raise operational urgency.
Technical view
The issue is CWE-295 improper certificate validation affecting Apple iOS/iPadOS and macOS. The CVSS 3.1 vector is local, low complexity, no privileges, user interaction required, with high integrity impact. Sources identify fixed releases but do not provide exploit mechanics or exact vulnerable version ranges beyond iOS before 16.7.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on iPhones and iPads running versions before iOS/iPadOS 16.7, plus macOS Ventura systems not updated to 13.6. Risk is higher where users can install apps outside strict management controls or where patch visibility is incomplete.
Exploitation context
Apple stated it was aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against iOS versions before iOS 16.7. CISA KEV listing supports treating exploitation as real-world risk. The public bundle does not identify campaigns, targets, or exploit details.
Researcher notes
Do not assume macOS exploitation from the provided sources; Apple’s active exploitation statement is specific to iOS before 16.7. Public references name the validation class and fixed releases but omit root cause, proof-of-concept, and affected build details.
Mitigation direction
- Update iOS devices to iOS 16.7 or a later supported release.
- Update iPadOS devices to iPadOS 16.7 or a later supported release.
- Update macOS Ventura systems to 13.6 or a later supported release.
- Use MDM controls to enforce minimum Apple OS versions.
- Check Apple and CISA guidance for any revised remediation details.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Apple endpoints and identify devices below the fixed releases.
- Confirm MDM compliance policies require the fixed OS versions or later.
- Review mobile security telemetry for unexpected app installs on vulnerable iOS devices.
- Verify patch status for unmanaged executive and high-risk user devices.
- Track this CVE through the CISA KEV remediation process.
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-295: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2023-41991 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
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
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.
CISA KEV status
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:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N1.83.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213927CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213931CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213931CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213927CVE reference
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-41991CVE reference · government-resource
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 Certificate Validation
Improper Certificate Validation represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.