CVE-2023-42953 is a permissions-related vulnerability identified in Apple tvOS and other Apple operating systems including watchOS, macOS Sonoma, iOS, and iPadOS. The vulnerability arises from insufficient restrictions on app permissions, allowing an app with limited privileges to access sensitive user data that it should not be able to reach. The issue does not require user interaction to exploit but does require local access with limited privileges (AV:L/PR:L/UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (C:H) but does not affect integrity or availability. Apple addressed this vulnerability by implementing additional permission restrictions in tvOS 17.1, watchOS 10.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, iOS 17.1, and iPadOS 17.1. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. There are no known public exploits or active exploitation campaigns reported. The vulnerability could allow malicious or compromised apps to access sensitive user data, potentially leading to privacy violations or data leakage. The affected versions are unspecified but are all versions prior to the fixed releases. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where Apple devices are used for sensitive or corporate purposes, as unauthorized data access could lead to information disclosure.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2023-42953 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on Apple devices running vulnerable versions of tvOS, watchOS, macOS, iOS, or iPadOS. This could affect organizations that deploy Apple TVs in meeting rooms, digital signage, or home office environments, as well as employees using Apple mobile devices and Macs. The confidentiality breach could expose personal or corporate information, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the exposure of sensitive data could lead to reputational damage, regulatory fines, and loss of trust. The requirement for local access and limited privileges reduces the risk of remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threats or risks from compromised apps. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those that allow installation of third-party apps on Apple devices are at increased risk. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk but does not preclude future exploitation attempts.

1. Ensure all Apple devices, including Apple TVs, Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches, are updated to the fixed OS versions: tvOS 17.1, watchOS 10.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, iOS 17.1, and iPadOS 17.1. 2. Implement strict app installation policies to restrict the installation of untrusted or unsigned apps, especially on Apple TVs and devices used in corporate environments. 3. Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce OS updates and app restrictions across all managed Apple devices. 4. Monitor device usage and app permissions regularly to detect any unusual access patterns or unauthorized apps. 5. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and the importance of applying OS updates promptly. 6. For environments using Apple TVs in shared or public spaces, consider network segmentation and access controls to limit local access to trusted users only. 7. Review and audit privacy settings and app permissions on Apple devices to minimize unnecessary data exposure. 8. Maintain an inventory of Apple devices and their OS versions to ensure compliance with patching policies.