CVE-2023-42903: Apple macOS · Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination or arbitrary code
Affects Apple macOSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High : upgrade to 14.2 soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 06:26 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 23% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 14.2
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation 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 2026-10-26.
What to do
Upgrade Apple macOS to 14.2.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Apple macOS | Affected
| Fixed in
|
AI-suggested
1. Immediately apply the macOS Sonoma 14.2 update or later to all affected devices to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Implement strict controls on file sources, including disabling or restricting the opening of files from untrusted or unknown origins. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions with behavioral analysis to detect anomalous application crashes or suspicious code execution attempts. 4. Educate users on the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected files, emphasizing caution with email attachments and downloads. 5. Use application whitelisting and sandboxing where possible to limit the impact of arbitrary code execution. 6. Monitor logs and system behavior for signs of exploitation attempts, especially in environments with high-value targets. 7. Consider network segmentation to isolate macOS devices handling sensitive data, reducing lateral movement opportunities. 8. Maintain regular backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential compromises.
Description
Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.2. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution.