CVE-2023-41064
CVE-2023-41064 is a security flaw in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, the software on Apple’s iPhones, iPads and Macs. Opening a booby-trapped file can let an attacker run their own code through 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 11 Sep 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 12.6, 11.7, 16.6 and 15.7 and others.
Description
CISA calls it an imageIO buffer overflow in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. In its words: “Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS contain a buffer overflow vulnerability in ImageIO when processing a maliciously crafted image, which may lead to code execution. This vulnerability was chained with CVE-2023-41061.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.6.1 and iPadOS 16.6.1, macOS Monterey 12.6.9, macOS Ventura 13.5.2, iOS 15.7.9 and iPadOS 15.7.9, macOS Big Sur 11.7.10. Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.”[2]
The underlying weakness is buffer overflow (CWE-120), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 7.8 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 |
|---|---|
| macOS | 12.6 |
| macOS | 11.7 |
| iOS and iPadOS | 16.6 |
| iOS and iPadOS | 15.7 |
| macOS | 13.5 |
Every device with Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 11 Sep 2023, 4 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 2 Oct 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 53%. That’s in the top 2% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as automatable: attackers can run it against many targets at once.
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 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 12.6 or later.Fixed in version 12.6, 11.7, 16.6 and 15.7 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 |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[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 53%.[4] |
See also
Other Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS flaws
- CVE-2025-43300: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2023-28206: iOSurfaceAccelerator out-of-bounds write ·
- 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 buffer overflow flaws
- CVE-2022-37055, D-Link Routers: buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2025-20333, Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance and Secure Firewall Threat Defense: secure firewall adaptive security appliance (ASA) and secure firewall threat defense (FTD) buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2020-15069, Sophos XG Firewall: buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2023-33010, Zyxel Multiple Firewalls: buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2023-33009, Zyxel Multiple Firewalls: buffer overflow ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2023-41061, Apple iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS: wallet code execution ·
Every Apple flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in September 2023
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS ImageIO Buffer Overflow Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 11 Sep 2023.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2023-41064 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 7 Sep 2023.
- ^ Apple. Advisories and fixes: support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, and 2 more on NVD’s record.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.534, percentile 99.0, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2023-41064”. 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.