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CVE-2023-32396: An app may be able to gain elevated privileges in Apple iOS and iPadOS

High
VulnerabilityCVE-2023-32396cvecve-2023-32396
Published: Tue Sep 26 2023 (09/26/2023, 20:14:32 UTC)
Source: CVE
Vendor/Project: Apple
Product: iOS and iPadOS

Description

This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in Xcode 15, tvOS 17, watchOS 10, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma 14. An app may be able to gain elevated privileges.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 07/03/2025, 13:25:10 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2023-32396 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple iOS and iPadOS platforms, as well as related Apple operating systems including tvOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS Sonoma 14. The vulnerability allows an application to potentially gain elevated privileges beyond its intended sandboxed environment. This escalation of privileges could enable a malicious app to perform unauthorized actions, access sensitive data, or manipulate system components that are normally protected. The issue arises due to insufficient privilege checks within the operating system, which Apple has addressed by implementing improved validation mechanisms in the latest OS releases and development tools such as Xcode 15. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 reflects a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with an attack vector requiring local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The vulnerability scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the exploit affects only the vulnerable component without extending to other system components. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential for privilege escalation makes this a significant threat, especially given the widespread use of Apple mobile devices in enterprise and consumer environments. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to the patched releases, emphasizing the importance of updating to the latest OS versions to mitigate risk.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a considerable risk, particularly for sectors relying heavily on Apple devices such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology. An attacker exploiting this flaw could gain elevated privileges on compromised devices, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, interception of communications, installation of persistent malware, or disruption of critical services. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in scenarios involving social engineering or insider threats. Enterprises with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies or those deploying iOS/iPadOS devices for mobile workforce operations are particularly vulnerable. The compromise of privileged access on these devices could facilitate lateral movement within corporate networks or exfiltration of confidential information. Additionally, given the integration of Apple devices in secure communication and authentication workflows, exploitation could undermine organizational security postures and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR.

Mitigation Recommendations

European organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the patched versions of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and related Apple OS updates as released by Apple. IT departments must enforce strict update policies and verify device compliance regularly. Beyond patching, organizations should implement application control policies to restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned apps, reducing the risk of malicious app deployment. User education campaigns are essential to mitigate risks associated with social engineering that could trigger the required user interaction for exploitation. Employing Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions can help enforce security configurations, monitor device health, and remotely remediate compromised devices. Additionally, organizations should audit and limit local physical access to devices, especially in high-risk environments, to prevent unauthorized exploitation. Monitoring for anomalous app behavior and privilege escalations through endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored for mobile platforms can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. Finally, integrating these devices into a broader zero-trust security framework will help contain potential breaches stemming from this vulnerability.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
apple
Date Reserved
2023-05-08T22:31:41.824Z
Cisa Enriched
true
Cvss Version
3.1
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 682d981fc4522896dcbdc7f5

Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:08:47 AM

Last enriched: 7/3/2025, 1:25:10 PM

Last updated: 8/16/2025, 11:53:30 AM

Views: 8

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