CVE-2023-42873: Apple iOS and iPadOS · An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges
Affects Apple iOS and iPadOSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 14.1 : patch Apple iOS and iPadOS soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 08:30 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 12% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 14.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 21 Feb 2024
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
AI-suggested
European organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Apple devices by deploying the updates iOS 16.7.2, iOS 17.1, iPadOS 16.7.2, iPadOS 17.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, macOS Monterey 12.7.1, and macOS Ventura 13.6.1. Restricting app installations to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and enforcing strict mobile device management (MDM) policies can reduce the risk of malicious app deployment. Implementing application whitelisting and monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and enforce least privilege principles to limit local user permissions. Regularly auditing device compliance and using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored for Apple platforms will enhance visibility into potential exploitation. For high-risk environments, consider isolating critical Apple devices from less secure networks and applying network segmentation to limit lateral movement in case of compromise.
Description
The issue was addressed with improved bounds checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.1, tvOS 17.1, macOS Monterey 12.7.1, iOS 16.7.2 and iPadOS 16.7.2, iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1, macOS Ventura 13.6.1. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
References
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT213981 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT213987 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT213984 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT213985 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT213982 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT213983 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT213987 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT213984 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT213983 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT213982 (opens in a new tab)