Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A flaw in Apple macOS could let a crafted file run arbitrary code when someone processes it. User interaction is required, but successful exploitation could fully compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the Mac. Apple says improved checks in macOS Sonoma 14 fix the issue.
Executive priority
High priority for organizations with managed Macs, especially where users handle external files. The issue is not proven actively exploited in the provided sources, but the potential impact is full device compromise after user interaction.
Technical view
CVE-2023-42826 is a macOS input-validation issue (CWE-20) with CVSS 3.1 score 7.8. The vector is local, low complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction required. Apple describes the trigger as processing a file, which may lead to arbitrary code execution.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Apple macOS systems that have not received the macOS Sonoma 14 fix. The source bundle does not identify exact vulnerable macOS versions or affected file types, so inventory should focus on macOS endpoints below or missing that update.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle, and no cited source states active exploitation. The attack requires a user to process a file, making phishing, downloads, or document-handling workflows plausible risk contexts without proving real-world exploitation.
Researcher notes
Apple provides minimal technical detail: no component, file format, vulnerable version range, or exploit indicators are named in the source bundle. Validation should avoid assumptions and anchor on Apple patch status, CVSS vector, and available endpoint telemetry.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Apple's macOS Sonoma 14 update where applicable.
- Check Apple guidance for coverage on other supported macOS versions.
- Prioritize managed Macs that process untrusted files.
- Use endpoint controls to reduce untrusted file handling until patched.
Validation and detection
- Inventory macOS endpoint versions and patch status.
- Confirm systems requiring protection have the Sonoma 14 fix applied.
- Review endpoint telemetry for suspicious file-processing crashes or alerts.
- Verify user-facing file intake workflows are covered by patched 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-20: 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.
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-2023-42826 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:N/UI:R/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:N/UI:R/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:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213940CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213940CVE 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 Input Validation
Improper Input Validation represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.