CVE-2023-42952: Apple macOS · Improper Privilege Management
Affects Apple macOSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 4.4 Medium · fixed in 17.1 : update Apple macOS when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 8% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 17.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:NExploitation 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
- Apply the latest Apple security updates immediately, specifically macOS Ventura 13.6.3, Sonoma 14.1, Monterey 12.7.1, iOS 17.1, and iPadOS 17.1 or later, to ensure the vulnerability is patched.
- Restrict the installation and execution of applications with root privileges to only trusted and verified software. Implement strict application whitelisting and code signing policies.
- Monitor and audit root-level processes and applications regularly to detect any unauthorized or suspicious activity.
- Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying privilege escalation attempts or anomalous access patterns.
- Enforce the principle of least privilege, minimizing the number of applications and users with root access on macOS systems.
- Educate system administrators and users about the risks of running untrusted software with elevated privileges.
- Implement network segmentation and data access controls to limit the exposure of sensitive information even if root-level compromise occurs.
- Maintain comprehensive backup and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential breaches involving privileged accounts.
Description
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1, macOS Ventura 13.6.3, macOS Sonoma 14.1, macOS Monterey 12.7.1. An app with root privileges may be able to access private information.
References
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT214038 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT213984 (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/HT214038 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT213984 (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT213982 (opens in a new tab)