CVE-2023-38606
CVE-2023-38606 is a security flaw in Apple devices, the software on Apple’s iPhones, iPads and Macs. Attackers are using a flaw in Apple devices that its maker hasn't described in detail. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 26 Jul 2023.[1]
Apple devices 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 16.6, 13.5, 15.7 and 11.7 and others.
Description
CISA calls it a kernel unspecified in Apple Multiple Products. In its words: “Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS contain an unspecified vulnerability allowing an app to modify a sensitive kernel state.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “This issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.6.8, iOS 15.7.8 and iPadOS 15.7.8, iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6, tvOS 16.6, macOS Big Sur 11.7.9, macOS Ventura 13.5, watchOS 9.6. An app may be able to modify sensitive kernel state. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS released before iOS 15.7.1.”[2]
It scores 5.5 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it medium, 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 |
|---|---|
| tvOS | 16.6 |
| iOS and iPadOS | 16.6 |
| macOS | 13.5 |
| iOS and iPadOS | 15.7 |
| macOS | 11.7 |
| macOS | 12.6 |
| watchOS | 9.6 |
Every device with Apple devices needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 26 Jul 2023. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 16 Aug 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 3%. That’s in the top 14% 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 mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.”[1]
- Update Apple devices 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 16.6 or later.Fixed in version 16.6, 13.5, 15.7 and 11.7 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 |
|---|---|
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 5.5.[2] | |
| 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 3%.[4] |
See also
Other Apple devices flaws
- CVE-2026-86950: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2025-43520: classic buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2025-43510: improper locking ·
- CVE-2025-31277: buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2023-43000: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2021-30952: integer overflow or wraparound ·
Similar flaws
- CVE-2026-118527, Ivanti Connect Secure: generation of predictable numbers or identifiers ·
- CVE-2026-46300, Linux Kernel: missing initialization of a variable ·
- CVE-2026-41709, Broadcom VMware ESX: insufficient logging ·
- CVE-2026-96656, Plex Media Server: external control of file name or path ·
- CVE-2026-96654, Plex Media Server: improper neutralization of encoded URI schemes in a web page ·
Every Apple flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in July 2023
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Apple Multiple Products Kernel Unspecified Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 26 Jul 2023.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2023-38606 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 27 Jul 2023.
- ^ Apple. Advisories and fixes: support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, and 3 more on NVD’s record.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.029, percentile 86.9, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2023-38606”. 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.