CVE-2023-42898: Apple iOS and iPadOS · Processing an image may lead to arbitrary code execution
Affects Apple iOS and iPadOSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 17.2 : patch Apple iOS and iPadOS soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
Rated High by the CNA (apple) · No CVSS score from NVD or the CNA
- EPSS
- 0.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 41% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 17.2
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 12 Dec 2023
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
Apply the official Apple updates: iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2, as well as macOS Sonoma 14.2, watchOS 10.2, and tvOS 17.2, which include the fix through improved memory handling. No additional mitigations are specified.
Description
A vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS allows processing a crafted image to potentially lead to arbitrary code execution. The issue is resolved by improved memory handling and fixed in iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 along with other Apple OS updates.
References
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT214035 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT214040 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT214036 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT214041 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Dec/9 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Dec/7 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Dec/13 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Dec/12 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT214041 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT214040 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT214036 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT214035 (opens in a new tab)