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CVE-2023-42876: Processing a file may lead to a denial-of-service or potentially disclose memory contents in Apple macOS

High
VulnerabilityCVE-2023-42876cvecve-2023-42876
Published: Wed Jan 10 2024 (01/10/2024, 22:03:24 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: Apple
Product: macOS

Description

The issue was addressed with improved bounds checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14. Processing a file may lead to a denial-of-service or potentially disclose memory contents.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 07/11/2025, 00:02:02 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2023-42876 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS systems, specifically addressed in macOS Sonoma 14. The vulnerability arises from improper bounds checking when processing certain files, which can lead to two primary security issues: denial-of-service (DoS) conditions and potential disclosure of memory contents. The flaw allows an attacker to craft a malicious file that, when processed by the vulnerable macOS system, can cause the system or application to crash, resulting in a DoS. More critically, the vulnerability may allow unauthorized disclosure of sensitive memory data, which could include confidential information present in memory at the time of exploitation. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.1 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), no integrity impact (I:N), and high availability impact (A:H). This means an attacker needs local access and user interaction to exploit the vulnerability, but no elevated privileges are necessary. The vulnerability was mitigated by Apple through improved bounds checking in the file processing code, preventing out-of-bounds memory access that led to these issues. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the potential for sensitive data leakage and service disruption makes timely patching critical.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-42876 can be significant, especially for those relying on Apple macOS devices in their IT environment. The confidentiality impact is high due to the potential exposure of sensitive memory contents, which could include credentials, cryptographic keys, or proprietary data. This poses risks to data privacy compliance under regulations such as GDPR, where unauthorized data disclosure can lead to legal and financial penalties. The availability impact is also high, as successful exploitation can cause denial-of-service conditions, disrupting business operations, particularly in environments where macOS systems are used for critical tasks or services. Although exploitation requires local access and user interaction, insider threats or social engineering attacks (e.g., convincing users to open malicious files) could facilitate exploitation. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using macOS devices are particularly at risk if endpoint security controls are insufficient. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits following public disclosure. Therefore, European organizations must prioritize patching and implement controls to mitigate exploitation vectors.

Mitigation Recommendations

1. Immediate deployment of the macOS Sonoma 14 update or any security patches provided by Apple that address CVE-2023-42876 is essential. 2. Implement endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting and blocking malicious file activities or anomalous application crashes on macOS devices. 3. Enforce strict user awareness training focused on the risks of opening untrusted or unsolicited files, emphasizing the need for caution with local file processing. 4. Limit local access privileges and enforce the principle of least privilege to reduce the risk of exploitation by local attackers. 5. Use application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to restrict the ability of malicious files to execute or affect critical system components. 6. Monitor system logs and crash reports for unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. 7. For organizations with remote users, ensure secure VPN access and endpoint security posture assessments before allowing network access. 8. Regularly audit and update macOS devices to maintain the latest security posture and reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
apple
Date Reserved
2023-09-14T19:05:11.454Z
Cvss Version
3.1
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 68487f591b0bd07c3938aaff

Added to database: 6/10/2025, 6:54:17 PM

Last enriched: 7/11/2025, 12:02:02 AM

Last updated: 7/29/2025, 8:10:30 AM

Views: 10

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