CVE-2023-42928 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems that allows a malicious application to gain elevated privileges on affected devices. The root cause of the vulnerability lies in insufficient bounds checking within the system, which could be exploited by an app to escalate its privileges beyond intended limits. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions), indicating that the system’s permission checks were not properly enforced. The issue was addressed by Apple in iOS and iPadOS version 17.1 through improved bounds checks, effectively mitigating the risk. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.4, indicating high severity. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning an attacker must have local access to the device, but no user interaction (UI:N) or prior privileges (PR:N) are required, which lowers the barrier for exploitation once local access is obtained. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning a successful exploit could lead to full system compromise, data leakage, or denial of service. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential for abuse remains significant, especially in environments where devices are shared or where malicious apps could be installed. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for organizations relying on iOS and iPadOS devices for sensitive communications, as it could allow attackers to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or system functions.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-42928 can be substantial. Many enterprises and government agencies use Apple devices for secure communications, mobile workforce productivity, and critical operations. A successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges on compromised devices, leading to unauthorized access to confidential information, manipulation or deletion of data, and disruption of services. This could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, and operational downtime. The vulnerability’s ability to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability simultaneously raises the risk profile, especially for sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. Additionally, the local attack vector means that physical access or the ability to install malicious apps is required, which could be a concern in environments with less stringent device control policies or where devices are shared or lost. The absence 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 act proactively to mitigate potential impacts.

To mitigate CVE-2023-42928 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately update all iOS and iPadOS devices to version 17.1 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2) Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies that restrict app installations to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and prevent sideloading of unverified applications. 3) Implement device usage policies that minimize the risk of physical access by unauthorized individuals, including strong device passcodes and biometric protections. 4) Monitor device behavior for signs of privilege escalation or anomalous activity using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored for mobile platforms. 5) Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and the importance of timely updates. 6) For highly sensitive environments, consider additional controls such as application whitelisting and network segmentation to limit the impact of compromised devices. 7) Maintain an inventory of all Apple devices in use and ensure compliance with patch management policies. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on operational controls and user behavior alongside technical patching.