Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-42873 is an Apple operating system kernel issue. A malicious app that already runs on a device could gain kernel privileges, giving it deep control over confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Apple fixed it with improved bounds checks in specific iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS releases.
Executive priority
Prioritize normal expedited Apple patching, especially for endpoints that handle sensitive data or allow broad app installation. The vulnerability is high impact because kernel compromise can defeat device protections, but the provided evidence does not support emergency treatment based on active exploitation.
Technical view
The CVE describes a CWE-787 out-of-bounds write reachable by a local, low-privileged app without user interaction. Impact is arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. Apple’s stated remediation is improved bounds checking in the listed fixed releases.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely where Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, or tvOS assets remain below the fixed versions listed by Apple. Risk is highest on unmanaged endpoints, BYOD devices, shared Macs, test devices, or systems that can run untrusted or sideloaded applications.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The attack context is local: an app must execute on the target device before attempting kernel-level privilege escalation. Treat this as serious post-compromise or malicious-app risk, not a remote unauthenticated network issue.
Researcher notes
Key constraints are local attack vector, low privileges required, no user interaction, and kernel-code execution impact. The source bundle does not identify the exact Apple component, vulnerable version ranges, exploit maturity, or indicators of compromise. Validation should therefore focus on version compliance and exposure to untrusted apps.
Mitigation direction
- Update iOS and iPadOS to 16.7.2, 17.1, or later supported releases.
- Update macOS to Sonoma 14.1, Ventura 13.6.1, Monterey 12.7.1, or later.
- Update tvOS to 17.1 or later supported releases.
- Use MDM compliance policies to block or quarantine outdated Apple devices.
- Review Apple security guidance for any platform-specific deployment notes.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Apple device OS versions across managed and unmanaged fleets.
- Confirm devices meet or exceed Apple’s fixed versions for their platform.
- Check vulnerability management records for CVE-2023-42873 closure evidence.
- Verify MDM reports no remaining devices below the fixed releases.
- Review endpoint telemetry for suspicious app execution on previously vulnerable 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-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-2023-42873 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/HT213981CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213987CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213984CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213985CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213982CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213983CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213987CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213984CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213983CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213982CVE 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.