CVE-2023-41992
CVE-2023-41992 is a security flaw in Apple devices, the software on Apple’s iPhones, iPads and Macs. Someone who already has a foothold can use Apple devices to take full control of the machine. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 25 Sep 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 12.7, 16.7 and 13.6.
Description
CISA calls it a kernel privilege escalation in Apple Multiple Products. In its words: “Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS contain an unspecified vulnerability that allows for local privilege escalation.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.7, iOS 16.7 and iPadOS 16.7, macOS Ventura 13.6. A local attacker may be able to elevate their privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 16.7.”[2]
The underlying weakness is CWE-754, 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 | 12.7 |
| iOS and iPadOS | 16.7 |
| macOS | 13.6 |
Every device with Apple devices needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 25 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 16 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 10%. That’s in the top 5% 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 12.7 or later.Fixed in version 12.7, 16.7 and 13.6. 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 10%.[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-2025-39682, Linux Kernel: improper check for unusual or exceptional conditions ·
- CVE-2024-3393, Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS: malicious DNS packet ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2023-41993, Apple devices: webKit code execution ·
- CVE-2023-41991, Apple devices: improper certificate validation ·
Every Apple flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in September 2023
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Apple Multiple Products Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 25 Sep 2023.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2023-41992 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 21 Sep 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 0.095, percentile 95.5, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2023-41992”. 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.