Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-42916 is a WebKit-related Apple vulnerability where malicious web content could expose sensitive information. Apple fixed it in iOS/iPadOS, macOS Sonoma, and Safari updates. Because Apple reported possible exploitation against iOS versions before 16.7.1 and CISA lists it in KEV, treat outdated Apple devices and browsers as priority exposure.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation within the current patch cycle, faster for executive, mobile, and high-risk user populations. The business risk is sensitive information disclosure from web content on already targeted Apple platforms, not broad remote system takeover based on the provided evidence.
Technical view
The issue is an out-of-bounds read, CWE-125, caused by insufficient input validation while processing web content. The CVSS 3.1 score is 6.5: network reachable, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, high confidentiality impact, no integrity or availability impact. Apple says improved input validation addressed it.
Likely exposure
Primary exposure is Apple Safari, macOS, iOS, and iPadOS where relevant fixed versions are not installed. The bundle also includes Debian, Fedora, and Gentoo advisories, so teams using WebKit-related Linux packages should verify distro guidance rather than assuming Apple-only scope.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by Apple’s statement that it may have been exploited against iOS before 16.7.1 and by CISA KEV inclusion. Sources do not provide exploit mechanics, targeting scale, or affected campaign details, so exposure assessment should focus on patch state and web-content attack surface.
Researcher notes
The record does not identify exact vulnerable version ranges beyond Apple’s fixed releases and the pre-iOS 16.7.1 exploitation statement. Validate by version and advisory mapping, not by attempting reproduction. Watch for WebKit package backports in Linux distributions referenced by Debian, Fedora, and Gentoo advisories.
Mitigation direction
- Update iOS and iPadOS to 17.1.2 or later where supported.
- Update macOS Sonoma to 14.1.2 or later where applicable.
- Update Safari to 17.1.2 or later on supported macOS systems.
- Check Apple and distro advisories for older supported branches and backported fixes.
- Prioritize internet-facing, executive, and high-risk user devices for remediation.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Safari, macOS, iOS, and iPadOS versions across managed assets.
- Identify devices running iOS versions before 16.7.1 as urgent review targets.
- Confirm Apple fixed versions or vendor-supported backports are installed.
- Review Debian, Fedora, and Gentoo WebKit package advisories if those platforms are used.
- Track CISA KEV due-date obligations if your organization follows BOD 22-01.
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-125: 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 lookupCVE-2023-42916 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
- 6.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N2.83.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214033CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214032CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214031CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214033CVE reference
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/P5LQS6VEI7VIZNC7QGQ62EOV45R5RJIR/CVE reference
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/AD2KIHHCUBQC2YYH3FJWAHI5BG3QETOH/CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214034CVE reference
- https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5575CVE reference
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-04CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT214062CVE reference
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-42916CVE 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.
Out-of-bounds Read
Out-of-bounds Read represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.