External risk intelligence

Apple iOS and iPadOS Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2023-41974

This vulnerability resides within the local kernel memory management of Apple iOS and iPadOS. It requires an application already running on the device to trigger the issue, meaning it lacks direct public-internet-facing reachability and is not exposed as a network service.

Use After Free

Apple Ipados

before 15.8.716.0 to before 17.0

Halo Surface Signal: 1 out of 5 — much less likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability in the memory management of Apple's operating systems could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This flaw has been addressed in later versions of iOS and iPadOS. The core issue involves a use-after-free error, where the system continues to reference memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to unexpected behavior and security risks.

Vulnerable operating system components
Memory management flaw
Arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

A use-after-free vulnerability exists that allows an application to potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This could impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. The vulnerability requires local access to the device and interaction with a malicious application to be triggered.

Exposure: Local device access required.
Attacker start: Malicious app on device.
Trigger: App interaction.
Result: Kernel privilege code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability presents a risk that could allow an app to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges on affected devices. Attackers with a moderate skill level could potentially exploit this by tricking a user into installing a malicious app. The successful exploitation could lead to significant data compromise and system control, impacting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of business data and operations.

Attacker skill: Moderate
Conditions: Malicious app installation required
Business risk: High

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The organization should address a critical use-after-free vulnerability that could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This issue impacts iOS and iPadOS devices. Prioritize identifying all devices running affected operating system versions, as this vulnerability requires local access to be exploited.

Find all affected Apple devices.
Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
Fix, verify, and monitor.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the nature of CVE-2023-41974 impacting Apple iOS and iPadOS?

CVE-2023-41974 is a use-after-free vulnerability within Apple's iOS and iPadOS. This means the operating system attempts to use memory after it has been freed, creating an opening for potential exploitation. This flaw can allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges on affected devices.

How does the use-after-free weakness in CVE-2023-41974 enable code execution?

The use-after-free weakness (CWE-416) in CVE-2023-41974 allows an application to potentially gain control of system memory after it has been deallocated. Successful exploitation can lead to the execution of arbitrary code with kernel privileges, giving an attacker a high level of control over the affected device.

What is the trigger path and scope for CVE-2023-41974?

Exploitation of CVE-2023-41974 requires local access to the device and the installation of a malicious application. An attacker must trick a user into installing this app, which then interacts with the vulnerable memory management function. The scope of the vulnerability is limited to the local device, as it is not exposed as a network service.

What is the relevance of CVE-2023-41974, considering its classification and exploitation risk?

CVE-2023-41974 has been listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating active exploitation. While the vulnerability requires local access, its successful exploitation could lead to significant data compromise and system control, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This makes it a high-risk issue for organizations.

What practical steps should be taken to address CVE-2023-41974?

Organizations should prioritize identifying all Apple devices running affected versions of iOS and iPadOS. The primary mitigation is to update devices to patched versions, such as iOS 17, iPadOS 17, iOS 15.8.7, and iPadOS 15.8.7, or follow vendor-specific remediation instructions. Isolate or reduce exposure on unpatched devices if immediate patching is not possible.

References

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.