Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-42917 is a WebKit memory corruption flaw affecting Apple platforms. A malicious webpage could cause code execution after a user processes web content. Apple fixed it in iOS/iPadOS 17.1.2, macOS Sonoma 14.1.2, and Safari 17.1.2. Apple reported possible exploitation against iOS versions before 16.7.1.
Executive priority
Treat this as urgent for Apple fleets because it combines code execution, browser exposure, and confirmed KEV listing. Prioritize patch compliance for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Safari users, especially high-value staff and unmanaged bring-your-own devices.
Technical view
The issue is a CWE-787 out-of-bounds write/memory corruption vulnerability addressed by improved locking. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.8 with network access, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction required. Successful exploitation may allow arbitrary code execution through web content processing.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on unmanaged or slow-to-patch Apple devices running affected iOS, iPadOS, macOS Sonoma, or Safari versions. Browser-driven attack surface means normal web use, links, and embedded web content are relevant. The bundle does not provide exact vulnerable version ranges beyond Apple’s fixed releases.
Exploitation context
CISA lists CVE-2023-42917 in KEV, and Apple states it is aware of a report of exploitation against iOS before 16.7.1. The provided sources do not include exploit details, scale, targeting, or public proof-of-concept status.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports high severity and in-the-wild exploitation, but source detail is limited. Do not assume affected version ranges beyond the named fixed releases. Focus validation on WebKit/Safari build levels, Apple OS versions, MDM inventory, and correlation with web-content crash telemetry.
Mitigation direction
- Update iOS and iPadOS to 17.1.2 or later per Apple guidance.
- Update macOS Sonoma to 14.1.2 or later per Apple guidance.
- Update Safari to 17.1.2 or later where applicable.
- Prioritize managed Apple endpoints used by executives, administrators, and mobile workers.
- Check Apple and device-management guidance for older supported OS branches.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Apple OS and Safari versions across managed endpoints.
- Confirm affected devices report fixed versions or later in MDM.
- Review browser and endpoint telemetry for unusual web-content crashes.
- Check vulnerability scanners for CVE-2023-42917 coverage and authenticated Apple version detection.
- Track KEV-driven remediation deadlines in vulnerability management workflows.
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-2023-42917 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
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/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.
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:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/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/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-2023-42917CVE 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 Write
Out-of-bounds Write represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.