CVE-2023-28210 is a high-severity buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Apple macOS systems prior to the Ventura 13.3 update. The flaw arises from improper memory handling within the kernel, allowing a malicious application to trigger unexpected system termination (crash) or potentially write arbitrary data to kernel memory. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-120, which pertains to classic buffer overflow errors where a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, leading to memory corruption. Exploiting this vulnerability requires local access with limited privileges (no privileges required), but user interaction is necessary to run the malicious app. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code at the kernel level, escalate privileges, or cause denial of service by crashing the system. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS before the patch in Ventura 13.3, indicating potentially broad exposure across macOS users who have not updated. No known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, but the nature of the vulnerability and its impact make it a critical concern for macOS users. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple through improved memory handling in the kernel, emphasizing the importance of applying the macOS Ventura 13.3 update or later to mitigate this risk.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-28210 can be significant, especially for those relying on macOS devices within their IT infrastructure. Successful exploitation could lead to system crashes, causing disruption of business operations and potential data loss. More critically, the ability to write to kernel memory could allow attackers to escalate privileges, bypass security controls, and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. This could expose sensitive corporate data, intellectual property, and personal information of employees and customers, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The disruption caused by unexpected system termination could also affect productivity and availability of critical services. Although exploitation requires local access and user interaction, insider threats or social engineering attacks could facilitate this. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS devices are particularly at risk if endpoint security controls are insufficient. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits over time.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to Ventura 13.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies to prevent execution of unauthorized or untrusted applications that could exploit this flaw. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be configured to monitor for anomalous behavior indicative of kernel-level attacks or crashes. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of running untrusted applications and the importance of timely software updates. Network segmentation can limit the spread of compromise if a device is exploited. Additionally, organizations should enforce least privilege principles and restrict local user permissions to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Regular vulnerability scanning and asset inventory should include macOS devices to ensure compliance with patching policies. Finally, maintaining offline backups and incident response plans will help mitigate the impact of potential system crashes or compromises.