CVE-2023-28206
CVE-2023-28206 is a security flaw in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, the software on Apple’s iPhones, iPads and Macs. Attackers can run their own code on Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 10 Apr 2023.[1]
Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work. Fixed in version 15.7, 11.7, 12.6 and 13.3 and others.
Description
CISA calls it an iOSurfaceAccelerator out-of-bounds write in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. In its words: “Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS IOSurfaceAccelerator contain an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that allows an app to execute code with kernel privileges.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.6.5, iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1, macOS Ventura 13.3.1, iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5, macOS Big Sur 11.7.6. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.”[2]
The underlying weakness is out-of-bounds write (CWE-787), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record lists these fixed versions: in each line, everything before the version shown is affected.[2]
| Product | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| iOS and iPadOS | 15.7 |
| macOS | 11.7 |
| macOS | 12.6 |
| macOS | 13.3 |
| iOS and iPadOS | 16.4 |
Every device with Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 10 Apr 2023, within a day of it being made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 1 May 2023 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 23%. That’s in the top 3% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Apple has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Update Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS now.On iPhone and iPad: Settings, General, Software Update. On a Mac: System Settings, General, Software Update. Install it on every Apple device in the house. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
- Check you’re on 15.7 or later.Fixed in version 15.7, 11.7, 12.6 and 13.3 and others. Anything older is what attackers are going after.
- If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 8.6.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 23%.[4] |
See also
Other Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS flaws
- CVE-2025-43300: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2023-41064: imageIO buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2021-30900: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2022-32917: remote code execution ·
- CVE-2020-9934: input validation ·
- CVE-2022-22620: webkit use-after-free ·
Other Apple flaws
- CVE-2026-86950, Apple devices: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-65400, Apple macOS: improper authentication ·
- CVE-2025-43520, Apple devices: classic buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2025-43510, Apple devices: improper locking ·
- CVE-2025-31277, Apple devices: buffer overflow ·
Other out-of-bounds write flaws
- CVE-2026-53266, Linux Kernel: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-87491, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: out of bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-53362, Linux Kernel: unspecified ·
- CVE-2022-0995, Linux Kernel: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-11645, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: out-of-bounds read and write ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2023-28205, Apple devices: webKit use-after-free ·
Every Apple flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in April 2023
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS IOSurfaceAccelerator Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 10 Apr 2023.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2023-28206 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 10 Apr 2023.
- ^ Apple. Advisories and fixes: support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.232, percentile 97.8, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2023-28206”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.