Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Apple kernel vulnerability could let a malicious app run code with kernel privileges after user interaction. That level of control can undermine device integrity and confidentiality. Apple says it was fixed with improved memory handling in macOS Sonoma 14, iOS 17, and iPadOS 17.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority Apple endpoint patching issue. Kernel code execution can create serious business risk, but available evidence does not show active exploitation. Focus on rapid update verification for managed Apple fleets and exceptions.
Technical view
CVE-2023-42871 is a CWE-787 out-of-bounds write/memory handling flaw affecting Apple iOS/iPadOS and macOS, with CVSS 7.8. Vector details indicate local attack, low complexity, no privileges, required user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Apple devices running iOS/iPadOS or macOS before the fixed releases named by Apple. The public bundle does not provide exact vulnerable version ranges, so prioritize asset inventory by OS family and update status.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not cite active exploitation, and the CVE is not marked KEV. The described scenario is a local malicious app gaining kernel privileges after user interaction, so risk depends on app-install controls, user behavior, and update coverage.
Researcher notes
The source bundle gives limited product version detail beyond fixed releases. It identifies CWE-787 and kernel privilege impact, but does not name the affected component, root cause specifics, exploit maturity, or alternate mitigations.
Mitigation direction
- Update iPhones and iPads to iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 where supported.
- Update Macs to macOS Sonoma 14 where supported.
- Check Apple security guidance for older supported branches or compensating updates.
- Restrict untrusted app installation until affected devices are remediated.
- Prioritize managed and high-privilege user devices first.
Validation and detection
- Inventory iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions across managed assets.
- Confirm devices meet or exceed the Apple fixed release versions.
- Flag unsupported or unpatched devices for replacement or isolation decisions.
- Review MDM compliance data for update failures or excluded devices.
- Verify app installation policy limits untrusted local code execution risk.
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-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.
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-2023-42871 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/HT213938CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213940CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213940CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213938CVE 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.
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.