Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-42877 is a macOS flaw where an app may modify protected parts of the file system. Apple fixed it with improved checks in macOS Sonoma 14.1, Ventura 13.6.1, and Monterey 12.7.1. The business concern is unauthorized local tampering on Macs that have not received those updates.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority endpoint patching item, especially for fleets with developer workstations, BYOD Macs, or broad app installation rights. There is no source-backed active exploitation claim, but the integrity impact warrants prompt remediation through Apple’s fixed macOS releases.
Technical view
The CVE describes a local macOS issue with low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction in the CVSS vector. Impact is rated high for confidentiality and integrity, with no availability impact. Public details do not identify a CWE, affected build range, component internals, or exploitation method.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Apple macOS systems below Sonoma 14.1, Ventura 13.6.1, or Monterey 12.7.1. The source bundle lists affected macOS versions as unspecified, so asset teams should map exposure by installed OS version rather than product subcomponent.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or any cited evidence of active exploitation. The attack vector is local, and Apple states an app may modify protected file system areas. No exploit prerequisites beyond the CVSS vector are provided.
Researcher notes
Public data is sparse. Apple’s description only says improved checks addressed an app’s ability to modify protected file system areas. The CVSS vector indicates local, low-complexity exploitation without privileges or interaction, but the bundle does not provide component names, root cause, PoC status, or exploit telemetry.
Mitigation direction
- Update macOS Sonoma systems to 14.1 or later.
- Update macOS Ventura systems to 13.6.1 or later.
- Update macOS Monterey systems to 12.7.1 or later.
- Prioritize managed Macs that run third-party or user-installed apps.
- Check Apple guidance for any superseding macOS security updates.
Validation and detection
- Inventory macOS versions across managed and unmanaged Apple endpoints.
- Confirm Sonoma, Ventura, and Monterey devices meet Apple’s fixed versions.
- Review Apple advisory references for the exact fixed release family.
- Check endpoint telemetry for suspicious modification of protected file system locations.
- Record unresolved systems with business owner, OS version, and update blocker.
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.
CVE-2023-42877 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
- 7.7 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/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.
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:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N2.55.2Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.7HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213984CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213985CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213983CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213985CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213984CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213983CVE 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.